TuberculosisA world wide
communicable disease
Tuberculosis Disease
• about 8 million new cases of TB occur world wide each year.
• about 20 million people are sick with TB yearly.
• about 3 million people die each year from TB.
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What Tuberculosis is,& how it is spread
• A disease that is spread from person to person through the air.
• Germs are put into the air when a person with TB exhales.
• Others may then breathe in the germ.
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TB is not spread by:
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2 Stages of Tuberculosis
The infection The disease
• the germ is dormant
• the germ is active
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Tuberculosis Infection
• the germ is inactive, but still alive.
• It is surrounded by the body’s defense system.
• the person is not sick, and is not contagious.
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Tuberculosis Disease
• When the body’s defense breaks down due to a weakened immune system, the germ becomes active.
• It can make the individual sick and be spread to others.
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Causes of a weakened
immune system
• Poor nutrition
• Stress
• Substance abuse
• HIV infection
• Very young or elderly
• Other health problems
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Other parts of the body may be affected
by TB
brain
kidney
spine
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Symptoms of Tuberculosis
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Night sweats
• General malaise
• Coughing up blood
• other symptoms depend on what part of the body is affected.
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Who gets Tuberculosis
Anyone can get TB, but some people are at higher risk:
– Those at higher risk include:
• people from countries where TB is prevalent
• those living or working in crowded conditions
• alcoholics or drug abusers
• people with HIV infection• those with other medical
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• A small needle is used to put some testing material just under the skin on the inside of your forearm.
• 48 to 72 hours later your forearm is checked for a reaction.
How to find out if you have TB
(Have a TB test)
You can get a TB test called the Mantoux test from your doctor or Health Department
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What determines Negative or Positive test
• Negative– the site of the
injection on the forearm is checked.
– no reaction, or only redness without induration, indicates a negative response.
• Positive
– the induration at the site of the injection is measured.
– predetermined criteria for size sets the standard for results.
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The meaning of a Positive TB test
• You have TB infection, not necessarily TB disease.
• Further testing will determine if you have TB disease.
• You may need to take medication.
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Other Types of TB testing
physical exam
sputum specimens for analysis
chest X-ray
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Tuberculosis Medication
• Taking medication is the only way to kill the TB germ.
• Take the medication for as long as your doctor says to take it.
• Report any problems to your doctor or nurse right away.
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Measures to help prevent the spread of
TB
• Cover your mouth when you cough
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle
• Open windows for fresh air
• Get TB tested
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BCG Vaccine for TB
• A live vaccine derived from a strain of the bacteria.
• It is used in some parts of the world to prevent TB where the disease is prevalent.
• It is rarely used in the United States.
• It’s effectiveness is uncertain.
• It can cause a small reaction to the TB test.
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