Tuberculosis

Definition

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. TB remains a significant global health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where it contributes to high mortality rates and poses challenges for healthcare systems. The disease is transmitted through airborne particles when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making it a critical concern for public health management worldwide.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death globally and is particularly deadly in low-income countries where healthcare access is limited.
2. In 2020, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with TB, with 1.5 million dying from the disease, highlighting its significant global burden.
3. The disease has a long incubation period, and symptoms like persistent cough, weight loss, and night sweats may take weeks or months to develop.
4. TB is treatable with a standard course of antibiotics, but treatment adherence is crucial to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains.
5. The World Health Organization has initiated the 'End TB Strategy' aimed at reducing TB deaths and incidence by 90% by 2035 through comprehensive prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts.

Review Questions

• How does tuberculosis transmission occur, and what measures can be taken to prevent its spread?
  • Tuberculosis spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing bacteria into the environment. Preventive measures include ensuring proper ventilation in living spaces, wearing masks in high-risk areas, and screening individuals who have been exposed to TB. Public health campaigns focused on awareness and education also play a crucial role in reducing transmission rates.
• Discuss the implications of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) for public health and individual treatment plans.
  • Latent tuberculosis infection poses unique challenges for public health as individuals with LTBI do not exhibit symptoms and are not contagious but still carry the risk of developing active TB later on. Screening programs are essential to identify these individuals and provide preventive treatment options. This proactive approach helps reduce future active TB cases, ultimately decreasing the overall burden on healthcare systems.
• Evaluate the impact of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) on global health initiatives aimed at controlling TB.
  • The emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis significantly complicates global health efforts to control TB due to its resistance to standard treatments. This resistance leads to longer treatment durations, higher costs, and increased mortality rates. It necessitates more extensive public health interventions, including improved diagnostics, surveillance systems, and access to second-line treatments. Addressing MDR-TB is critical for achieving global targets set by initiatives like the 'End TB Strategy' since it threatens progress made against traditional forms of tuberculosis.

Related terms

Mycobacterium tuberculosis: The bacterium responsible for causing tuberculosis, known for its slow growth and ability to evade the immune system.

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI): A condition where a person is infected with TB bacteria but does not show symptoms and cannot spread the disease; it can progress to active TB if untreated.

Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB): A form of tuberculosis that is resistant to at least two of the most potent anti-TB drugs, complicating treatment and control efforts.