tuberkuloosiga

Tuberkuloosiga, often referred to as tuberculosis (TB), is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs, but can also damage other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. The disease is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria.

Symptoms of active TB disease in the lungs can include a persistent cough, sometimes with phlegm and blood, chest pains, fever, night sweats, and unintended weight loss. TB can remain dormant in the body for years, without causing symptoms, a condition known as latent TB infection. However, latent TB can progress to active TB disease later.

Diagnosis of TB typically involves a physical examination, chest X-ray, and laboratory tests of sputum or other bodily fluids. Treatment for TB requires a long course of antibiotics, usually lasting six to nine months, and adherence to the full treatment regimen is crucial to prevent the development of drug-resistant TB.

Prevention strategies include vaccination with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which is more effective in children, and prompt identification and treatment of infected individuals to reduce transmission. Public health efforts focus on early detection, comprehensive treatment, and addressing risk factors such as HIV infection, malnutrition, and overcrowding.