tüberkülozu

Tuberkulozu, also known as tuberculosis or TB, is an infectious disease usually caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It most commonly affects the lungs but can also damage other parts of the body, such as the brain, spine, and kidneys.

TB is spread through the air when a person with active TB disease in their lungs coughs, sneezes, or speaks. The bacteria are released into the air and can be inhaled by others. Not everyone who is infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. People can have latent TB infection, where the bacteria are in the body but are not causing symptoms and are not contagious. However, latent TB can develop into active TB disease later if the immune system is weakened.

Symptoms of active pulmonary TB include a persistent cough, sometimes with blood, chest pain, fever, chills, night sweats, and weight loss. Diagnosis typically involves a chest X-ray, sputum tests, and sometimes a skin or blood test. TB is treatable with a course of antibiotics, usually lasting several months. Completing the full course of treatment is crucial to cure the disease and prevent the development of drug-resistant TB. Prevention strategies include vaccination (BCG vaccine, though its effectiveness varies), early detection, and prompt treatment of infected individuals.