Tuberculosis is a type of chronic bacterial infection that generally affects the lungs. This segment of the eMedTV library explains how tuberculosis is spread through the air and also covers the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of this disease.
Active tuberculosis is the more serious form of tuberculosis. As this eMedTV page explains, it affects 8 million people worldwide each year. Active tuberculosis occurs when the immune system is unable to stop the tuberculosis bacteria from growing.
Latent tuberculosis is the more common form of tuberculosis. As this eMedTV page explains, this form of tuberculosis takes place when bacteria in the body become inactive but remain alive, sometimes becoming active later.
Drug-resistant TB is a condition in which patients with tuberculosis don't improve with standard treatment. This eMedTV page provides an overview of drug-resistant TB (tuberculosis) and explains why it is so difficult to treat.
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. As this eMedTV article explains, several risk factors increase your odds of developing TB, but there are no other causes of tuberculosis besides this bacterium.
Tuberculosis transmission can occur when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. As this eMedTV page explains, these actions send the tuberculosis bacteria into the air, which can result in a person becoming infected.
Symptoms of active tuberculosis can include chest pain, a chronic cough, and coughing up blood. As this eMedTV article explains, most people with latent tuberculosis have no symptoms. This page covers the early and advanced symptoms of tuberculosis.
A tuberculosis diagnosis is based on a patient's physical exam, medical history, and test results. This eMedTV page describes the process of diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) and explains how a TB skin test is administered.
Taking a TB test is the most efficient way to detect latent tuberculosis. As explained in this eMedTV article, the most common methods for diagnosing tuberculosis are the TB blood test and the TB skin test. This page discusses each method in detail.
The TB skin test is a method used to detect latent tuberculosis. This eMedTV article explains the test in more detail, including information about the injection process, reading the results, and who should take the TB skin test.
A tuberculosis (TB) skin test reading is when a healthcare worker checks the results of your skin test. As this eMedTV article explains, the healthcare worker will check the injection site and measure the size of swelling to determine the results.
Tuberculosis treatment usually lasts at least 6 months and involves taking several antibiotics. This eMedTV resource describes these antibiotics (such as isoniazid and rifampin) and explains how tuberculosis treatment might affect your life.
As this eMedTV article explains, many people with tuberculosis are encouraged to enroll in a directly observed therapy program, which involves taking each dose of their medicine in front of a healthcare worker. This page discusses this program.
The tuberculosis cure usually involves taking antibiotics for 6-12 months. This portion of the eMedTV library explains how different antibiotics (such as isoniazid, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide) are combined to kill the disease-causing bacteria.
Tuberculosis medications include antibiotics such as isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol. This eMedTV article explains these medications in detail and provides a list of their potential side effects (including orange urine and saliva).
Tuberculosis prevention focuses on keeping people with active tuberculosis away from others. This eMedTV article also discusses the other areas of focus, which include preventive treatment and heightened precautions in hospitals and clinics.
In parts of the world where tuberculosis is common, infants may receive the BCG vaccine. This eMedTV page explains how the vaccine is used to prevent tuberculosis. This page also provides information on who should and shouldn't get the BCG vaccine.
An estimated 11.4 million people worldwide are infected with both tuberculosis (TB) and HIV. This eMedTV page discusses the link between HIV and tuberculosis and explains how the immune system is affected by these illnesses.
Tuberculosis research focuses on finding new treatments, vaccines, and diagnostic tools for tuberculosis. This eMedTV article discusses each of these areas of focus and explains how each will impact future tuberculosis treatment.
As this eMedTV article explains, tuberculosis statistics in the United States show that the decline in tuberculosis cases has slowed in recent years. This part of the eMedTV library provides explanations for several tuberculosis statistics.
Tuberculosis history indicates that the disease may have existed as early as 4000 BC. This eMedTV segment explains the history of tuberculosis, including the first references to tuberculosis and the initial treatment methods for this disease.
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