Tuberculosis Basics
Fever
A persistent fever above 100.4 °F (38°C)
Night sweats
A cough that doesn’t go away after a couple of weeks
Coughing out blood
Due to prolonged loss of appetite
Triggered by bacteria in the lungs
Starts out slight and may get worse
Fever
A persistent fever above 100.4 °F (38°C)
Night sweats
A cough that doesn’t go away after a couple of weeks
Coughing out blood
Due to prolonged loss of appetite
Triggered by bacteria in the lungs
Starts out slight and may get worse
Latent Tuberculosis infection is the presence of Tuberculosis bacteria – individuals are carrying the bacteria, however, their immune system is suppressing it and they are not sick or contagious.
Infected with Latent TB
Active Tuberculosis disease is when a person with Tuberculosis infection is sick with symptoms and contagious. While not all individuals who are infected or have latent Tuberculosis will develop active Tuberculosis, they are at higher risk for it.
When an individual with active Tuberculosis disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings, tiny particles originating from the lungs spread through the air and can be inhaled by individuals in the vicinity.
Bacteria, once breathed in, settles in the lungs, spreading the infection and the possibility for the bacteria to multiply.
Tuberculosis can not be contracted through physical contact like shaking the hands of an infected individual or touching their clothes. However, bacteria can stay alive in the air for a few hours in closed spaces where fresh air circulation and sunlight are blocked, posing the risk of infection for those entering tightly inhabited spaces of Tuberculosis patients.
Therefore, those people who Tuberculosis patients spend the most time with, including close friends and family, are likely to become infected.
If the sick person has left the room many hours ago and after effective ventilation, there is no risk in the environment.
Short amounts of travel with Tuberculosis patients do not carry great risk for transmission. However, longer duration and close contact (2 rows in front or behind) with infected individuals might pose a threat for infection.
The signs and symptoms of Tuberculosis begin with:
Tuberculosis can almost always be cured by taking medicine. If you have Tuberculosis disease, it is very important that you take the medicine given to you by your doctor exactly as you are told, including finishing it even if you start to feel better. If you stop taking the medicine too soon, you can become sick again.
Tuberculosis can even be treated with medication preventatively, before the disease develops.
You can find out more about treatment and prevention of Tuberculosis by talking to a Tuberculosis specialist near you. Find your nearest clinic here
Myths about Tuberculosis cause some people to feel shame and embarrassment around seeking help. Click on each myth to find out if it is true or false.
FALSE!
Anyone can be infected with Tuberculosis. But there are certain conditions that put someone at higher risk for developing Tuberculosis disease which generally fall into two categories:
1. Those who have been recently infected with Tuberculosis germs
2. Those with medical conditions that weaken the immune system including:
· HIV infection
· Substance use (such as injection drug use)
· Specialized treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease
· Organ transplants
· Severe kidney disease
· Head and neck cancer
· Diabetes
· Medical treatments such as corticosteroids
· Silicosis
· Low body weight
· *Children, especially those under age 5, have a higher risk of developing Tuberculosis disease once infected.
FALSE!
After you take the medicines for about 2 or 3 weeks, you might no longer be able to spread Tuberculosis bacteria to others. If your doctor or nurse agrees, you will be able to go back to your daily routine, including returning to work or school. But remember, you will only get well if you take your medicines exactly as directed by your doctor or nurse.
But it is important to think about people who may have spent time with you, such as family members, close friends, and co-workers. The local health department may need to test them for Tuberculosis infection. Tuberculosis is especially dangerous for children and HIV-infected persons. If these people are infected with Tuberculosis bacteria, they need medicines right away to keep them from developing active Tuberculosis disease.
FALSE!
Most people can continue to work while being treated, as long as infection control measures are followed such as:
• Good ventilation
• Cover mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing
• Wash hands properly and regularly
FALSE!
Tuberculosis is spread by airborne bacteria
FALSE!
Anyone can be infected with Tuberculosis. But there are certain conditions that put someone at higher risk for developing Tuberculosis disease which generally fall into two categories:
1. Those who have been recently infected with Tuberculosis germs
2. Those with medical conditions that weaken the immune system including:
· HIV infection
· Substance use (such as injection drug use)
· Specialized treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease
· Organ transplants
· Severe kidney disease
· Head and neck cancer
· Diabetes
· Medical treatments such as corticosteroids
· Silicosis
· Low body weight
· *Children, especially those under age 5, have a higher risk of developing Tuberculosis disease once infected.
FALSE!
After you take the medicines for about 2 or 3 weeks, you might no longer be able to spread Tuberculosis bacteria to others. If your doctor or nurse agrees, you will be able to go back to your daily routine, including returning to work or school. But remember, you will only get well if you take your medicines exactly as directed by your doctor or nurse.
But it is important to think about people who may have spent time with you, such as family members, close friends, and co-workers. The local health department may need to test them for Tuberculosis infection. Tuberculosis is especially dangerous for children and HIV-infected persons. If these people are infected with Tuberculosis bacteria, they need medicines right away to keep them from developing active Tuberculosis disease.
FALSE!
Most people can continue to work while being treated, as long as infection control measures are followed such as:
• Good ventilation
• Cover mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing
• Wash hands properly and regularly
FALSE!
Tuberculosis is spread by airborne bacteria
• An airborne, treatable disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Tuberculosis infections can be categorised as either active disease or a latent infection.
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis, the most common form of active disease, is when bacteria multiply in the lungs resulting in various symptoms and the possibility of contagion.
• When bacteria grow in other parts of the body like the lymph-nodes or bone, this is referred to as extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis and there is no risk of infecting others.
• In latent infections the immune system responds to the bacterial antigens and the individual, in most cases, does not feel ill and is not infectious.
• Unfortunately, if not treated properly, all forms of Tuberculosis can be fatal.
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