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Introduction:

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria called myobecaterium tuberculosis. It is aerobic bacterium (uses energy), and it is classified as a gram‐positive bacteria. TB is a deadly infectious disease that effects and starts mostly in the pulmonary system (the lungs). However it is also affects and spreads to many other systems in the body such as circulatory, genitourinary, lymphatic, skeletal, central nervous system, and joints if it is not treated. It is one of the fatal diseases that kills nearly two million people a year worldwide. Study shows one third of world’s population is infected with TB and every one second a person is infected with TB.

Causes:

As stated above, TB is caused by myobacteria. First the infection starts when the myobacteria reaches in the pulmonary alveoli. It begins replicating itself, and then invades alveoli macrophage to suppress the immune system of the lungs. It dwells through its primary site called Ghon within the lungs. From there it spreads to the rest of the body.

Spread:

Tuberculosis is a transmissible disease; it can be spread by a droplet infection through contact that mostly occurs between people who are in close proximate areas including congregations such as mosques, churches, class room schools, and work places. Study shows a person infected with TB can infect up to 14 people a year. Most of the time, TB develops as an asymptomatic, a latent disease, and an infected person does not show signs. However if the latent is progressed as a TB diseases, the death rate would be as high as 50%. TB can be passed by exhaling or releasing a tiny droplet containing tubercle bacilli into the air by any one of the following ways:

• Coughs
•  Sneezes
•  Speaks
•  Kisses
•  Spits
•  Pregnant mother can give to her fetus
•  Using un‐sterilize objects such as needle.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosing TB is hard due to its asymptomatic nature. The victim does not show the symptoms of the diseases because it takes time to develop. Thus, in order to diagnose, one of these procedures or all of them has to be followed by a health care professional.

•  Medical history
•  Chest X‐ray
•  Skin test
•  Serological (blood) test
•  Mantoux test (skin test) a substance called Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) tuberculin is injected into victim’s skin after 48‐72 hours later, skin shows hard, raised bump at the injection site for a positive or nothing for a negative.

Symptoms:

Even though the myobacateria can affect every organ of our body, the most common target organ is the pulmonary (lungs); thus, sometimes it is called pulmonary tuberculosis. TB shows the following signs unless it is a latent.

•  Cough which produces discolored or blood sputum
•  Night sweat
•  Lose of appetite
• Fatigue
•  Weight lose
•  Chills, sensation cold, which penetrates the body
•  Pain with breathing or coughing

Prevention:

Preventing TB needs precaution and awareness of the society. Due to lack of knowledge, many people developed a phobia about the disease. Thus, education is very important, knowing who has TB and then identifying their contactors, so that they will be tested and prescribed if they show the symptoms, is one of the key ways to prevent it. The following guidelines help preventing the disease.

•  Dietary plan, eating health food
•  Staying away from areas where infected people are
•  Ensure an adequate ventilation
•  Getting quality air
•  Regular test
•  Vaccinating children to protect them from getting the disease

Treatment:

To treat TB disease is not complicated, and it is simple even though it will take a while to completely eliminate myobacteria from the body. Most of the time, TB disease will take 6‐12 months to fully rid off the bacteria. Therefore TB is curable not only curable, but it is one of the easiest disease to treat. The symptoms of the disease are well recognized and its medication is available. Yet, it is one of the most fatal diseases in many parts of the world mostly in the developing countries. Specific medication of TB depends on age and medical history of the patient. Generality the victims of TB will be treated on antibiotics, but for specifics, contact your physician or a health care professional.

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