Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It causes many inflammations and sores. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted through the air to generally affect the lungs and harm breathing, due to its strong effects on the respiratory system and bones.  

TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected. About one-third of the world's population has latent TB, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit the disease.

Symptoms:

• Cough
• Fever
• Weight loss and anorexia
• Night sweats
• Weakness and fatigue

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Treatment:

TB is a treatable and curable disease. Active, drug-susceptible TB disease is treated with a standard 6 month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer. Without such support, treatment adherence can be difficult and the disease can spread. The vast majority of TB cases can be cured when medicines are provided and taken properly.

Prevention:

First: Early detection of persons highly at risk.

Second: TB vaccination.

Third: Avoidance of exposure to persons diagnosed with TB.

Websites, networks and sources of databases that can be used in this domain:

World Health Organization www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs104/ar

Databases:

1. Title/ Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine   Access Medicine
2. Title/ TB                                                                     Access Medicine
3. Title/ Drugs for TB and Feces                                Access Medicine

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