What Is Tuberculosis?

What is Tuberculosis?


·         Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and occasionally by Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium africanum

·         These micro-organisms are also known as acid-fast bacilli (AFB) because of their staining characteristics
·         TB is transmitted from one person to another through inhalation of droplets during;
o   Coughing which is the most common means of transmission
o   Laughing
o   talking,
o   Sneezing, and singing

·         Untreated smear-positive patients who are in the community are the potential source of infection.
·         The concentration of infected droplets in the air and the length of time a person breathes that air determines an individual’s risk of exposure.

·         TB can be grouped into two main types: pulmonary and extra-pulmonary.
·         The most common form is pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), which accounts for 80% of all cases of TB.
o   PTB is infectious, and affects the lungs.
·         Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) affects organs other than the lungs, and is non-infectious.
o   EPTB accounts for 20% of all cases of TB.

Woman Wearing Beanie
References

Wells BG, DiPiro J, Schwinghammer T (2013), Pharmacotherapy Handbook (6th Ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey ML, (2008): Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Katz M D., Matthias KR., Chisholm-Burns M A., Pharmacotherapy(2011) Principles & Practice Study Guide: A Case-Based Care Plan Approach: New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Schwinghammer TL, Koehler JM (2009) Pharmacotherapy Casebook: A Patient-Focused Approach (7th ed): New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.