Tuberculosis (TB)
If you know that someone close to you has contracted tuberculosis, take precautions. This highly contagious bacterial infection can be fatal and spreads easily when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or even talks. Tuberculosis, also known as TB, attacks the lungs and can cause persistent coughing which may cause an individual to cough up blood and/or mucus. Other symptoms of tuberculosis include fatigue, fever, chest pain and other serious symptoms. Medications are available to treat TB disease, which is more serious than latent TB infection. However, these medications must be taken exactly as directed for many months. Some individuals are at a higher risk of contracting TB, which kills an estimated two million people worldwide each year.
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- Q What do I need to know about caring for someone with tuberculosis?
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When caring for someone with tuberculosis (TB), remember that patients with latent tuberculosis - those who don't show any symptoms - cannot spread the disease. Only patients with active tuberculosis should be isolated until they are no longer contagious... Full Answer
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- Q What causes tuberculosis (TB)?
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Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria - specifically, Mycobacterium tuberculosis - that spread through the air when someone with active tuberculosis sneezes, coughs, or talks. If you breathe in these bacteria and become infected, you may carry the... Full Answer
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- Q What is tuberculosis?
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Tuberculosis (TB) has ravaged human populations since ancient times. There has even been DNA evidence found of the disease in Egyptian mummies. The European TB epidemic, which began in the 1600 and was known as the Great White Plague, rampaged for 200... Full Answer
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- Q Is tuberculosis serious?
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease that can be fatal if not treated. Antibiotics can cure TB in most cases, but patients must be careful to take all medication as directed so that no TB bacteria survive to make them sick again. Even if you... Full Answer
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- Q How is tuberculosis diagnosed?
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A skin test is the most common way to diagnose tuberculosis (TB). A healthcare provider injects a tiny amount of a substance known as tuberculin just under the skin of your forearm. If a red lump forms within 72 hours, it may mean you have been infected... Full Answer
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- Q How common is tuberculosis?
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Tuberculosis (TB) is extremely common worldwide, but not in the United States. Experts suspect one out of every three people in the world is infected with TB. Over 95% of deaths from TB occur in developing countries. Worldwide, the number of TB... Full Answer
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- Q How do medications treat tuberculosis?
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Antibiotics can kill tuberculosis (TB) bacteria and cure the disease in almost all cases. Usually, you must take antibiotics by mouth for six months or more, either daily or two or three times per week. The most common antibiotics used are... Full Answer
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- Q How is tuberculosis (TB) treated?
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Antibiotics cure tuberculosis (TB) in 95 percent of cases. If you are infected with TB but show no symptoms (known as latent tuberculosis), your doctor may prescribe a nine-month course of the antibiotic isoniazid. If you have active tuberculosis... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of tuberculosis (TB)?
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The main symptom of tuberculosis (TB) is a severe cough lasting three weeks or more. Patients may cough up sputum or blood, and they usually feel a lack of appetite and energy. Other symptoms may include fever, chills, night sweats, chest pain, and... Full Answer
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- Q When should I call my doctor if I have tuberculosis (TB)?
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Call your doctor immediately if you have: Symptoms (such as a cough that may produce bloody mucus along with fever, fatigue and weight loss) that could be caused by tuberculosis (TB). Been in close contact with someone who has untreated active TB,... Full Answer
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