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Tuberculosis:-
Tuberculosis, or TB as it is commonly called, is a chronic bacterial
infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is passed by
airborne droplets (coughing or sneezing). The disease was once common worldwide
and many people dies in early childhood or as young adults from contracting
it. Although incidence in the United States have greatly decreases, tuberculosis
continues to remain a health problem. The organism gains entrance to the lungs
when infected airborne droplets are inhaled. The organisms multiply in the lungs,
generally in one area. Symptoms rarely appear until several months after exposure.
In some individuals, the organism may lie dormant for several years before symptoms
appear. Symptoms include a cough, anorexia, chest pain, shortness of breath,
and a fever accompanied by sweating. In most cases, the infection is stopped
by the body's immune system and healing occurs, leaving a scar, which shows
as a dark spot on an X-ray of the lungs. In some cases, the infection is spread
through the lymphatic system. The bacteria may also enter the bloodstream. This
is called miliary tuberculosis and may be fatal. In the past, persons diagnosed
with active tuberculosis were confined to sanatoriums.Hospitalization and modern
therapies have replaced such practices. Modern drugs are effective in treating
tuberculosis, although recently an antibiotic-resistant strain of tuberculosis
has been encountered. For this reason, two different antibiotic drugs are administered
at the same time. In the United States, treatment usually consists of a daily
therapy for up to a year, with isoniazid and rifampin. Once the drugs are begun,
the symptoms are relived within three weeks. Blood tests are performed regularly
due the possible toxic affect of these strong drugs on the liver. The majority
of patients fully recover and do not suffer recurrence.
