Tuberculosis :: essays research papers

atomic hail 65Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a germ (bacterium) called mycobacteria tuberculosis. This germ primarily affects the lungs and may infectanyone at any age.In the United States, the number of TB cases steadily decreased until 1986 whenan increase was noned TB has continued to rise since. Today, ten millionindividuals are infect in the U.S., as demonstrate by dictatorial skin tests, withapproximately 26,000 new cases of industrious disease each year. The increase in TBcases is related to HIV/AIDS, homelessness, drug maltreat and immigration of mortals with participating infections.How is TB Contracted?TB is a contagious or infectious disease that is spread from person-to- person.A person is normally infected by inhaling the germs which have been sprayed intothe air by someone with the sprightly disease who coughs.However, inhaling the germ does not usually mean you leave behind develop active disease.A persons natural body defenses are usu ally able to fancy the infection sothat it does not cause disease. In this case, the person would be infected, butnot have active disease. Only about 10% of those infected will actually developTB in their lifetimes.Active disease can pass away in an infected person when the bodys resistance is lowor if there is a large or prolonged photograph to the germs that overcome thebodys natural defenses. The bodys solvent to active TB infection producesinflammation which can eventually damage the lungs. The amount of damage may bequite extensive, yet the symptoms may be minimal. The usual symptoms of diseasedue to TB are-Fever -Night sweats -Cough -Loss of appetite -Weight Loss -Blood in the sputum(phlegm) -Loss of energyDiagnosing TBTo diagnose TB, your clinician will gather five important pieces of information-Symptoms -History of possible exposure and onset of symptoms -Tuberculin skintest or PPD -Chest X-ray Sputum testTuberculin Skin canvasThe tuberculin skin test (or PPD) is per formed with an extract of killedtuberculosis germs that is injected into the skin. If a person has been infectedwith tuberculosis, a lump will form at the site of the injection--this is a demonstrable test. This generally means that TB germs have infected the body. Itdoes not usually mean the person has active disease. People with positive skintests but without active disease cannot transmit the infection to others.Chest X-RayIf a person has been infected with TB, but active disease has not developed, thechest X-ray usually will be normal. Most people with a positive PPD have normalchest X-rays and continue to be healthy. For such persons, preventive drugtherapy may be recommended.Tuberculosis essays research papers TuberculosisTuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a germ (bacterium) calledMycobacterium tuberculosis. This germ primarily affects the lungs and may infectanyone at any age.In the United States, the number of TB cases steadily decreased until 1986 whena n increase was noted TB has continued to rise since. Today, ten millionindividuals are infected in the U.S., as evidenced by positive skin tests, withapproximately 26,000 new cases of active disease each year. The increase in TBcases is related to HIV/AIDS, homelessness, drug abuse and immigration ofpersons with active infections.How is TB Contracted?TB is a contagious or infectious disease that is spread from person-to- person.A person is usually infected by inhaling the germs which have been sprayed intothe air by someone with the active disease who coughs.However, inhaling the germ does not usually mean you will develop active disease.A persons natural body defenses are usually able to control the infection sothat it does not cause disease. In this case, the person would be infected, butnot have active disease. Only about 10% of those infected will actually developTB in their lifetimes.Active disease can occur in an infected person when the bodys resistance is lowor if there is a large or prolonged exposure to the germs that overcome thebodys natural defenses. The bodys response to active TB infection producesinflammation which can eventually damage the lungs. The amount of damage may bequite extensive, yet the symptoms may be minimal. The usual symptoms of diseasedue to TB are-Fever -Night sweats -Cough -Loss of appetite -Weight Loss -Blood in the sputum(phlegm) -Loss of energyDiagnosing TBTo diagnose TB, your clinician will gather five important pieces of information-Symptoms -History of possible exposure and onset of symptoms -Tuberculin skintest or PPD -Chest X-ray Sputum testTuberculin Skin TestThe tuberculin skin test (or PPD) is performed with an extract of killedtuberculosis germs that is injected into the skin. If a person has been infectedwith tuberculosis, a lump will form at the site of the injection--this is apositive test. This generally means that TB germs have infected the body. Itdoes not usually mean the person has active disease. People w ith positive skintests but without active disease cannot transmit the infection to others.Chest X-RayIf a person has been infected with TB, but active disease has not developed, thechest X-ray usually will be normal. Most people with a positive PPD have normalchest X-rays and continue to be healthy. For such persons, preventive drugtherapy may be recommended.