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Tuberculosis
Pathogen: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) MTB is bacilli-shaped (rod), is slow-growing, and is successful in areas with high oxygen contents, such as the lungs.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that most commonly affects the lungs but also can involve almost any organ of the body.
Symptoms: Symptoms of TB include tiredness and weakness, weight loss, fever, night sweats, coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Death can occur in certain situations.
TREATMENT: Hospitalization occurs to monitor progress and reduce the risk of spreading. Common drug therapies include antibiotics specifically designed for TB treatment such as Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, Streptomycin and Ethambutol. In the instance where the body is resisting drugs, surgery may be necessary in the lungs.
PREVENTION: Preventive measures for TB include strict standards for ventilation, air filtration, and isolation methods in hospitals, medical and dental offices, nursing homes, and prisons. There are TB vaccinations available.
Lou Levine Honors Biology 4B November 4, 2009
Transmission: A person can become infected with TB bacteria when he or she inhales particles of infected sputum from the air when someone who has a tuberculosis lung infection coughs, sneezes, shouts, or spits. People who are nearby possibly breathe the bacteria into their lungs. Tuberculosis is transmitted, then, from person to person by breathing infected air during close contact.
