TuberculosisA world wide

communicable disease

Tuberculosis Disease

• about 8 million new cases of TB occur world wide each year.

• about 20 million people are sick with TB yearly.

• about 3 million people die each year from TB.

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What Tuberculosis is,& how it is spread

• A disease that is spread from person to person through the air.

• Germs are put into the air when a person with TB exhales.

• Others may then breathe in the germ.

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TB is not spread by:

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2 Stages of Tuberculosis

The infection The disease

• the germ is dormant

• the germ is active

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Tuberculosis Infection

• the germ is inactive, but still alive.

• It is surrounded by the body’s defense system.

• the person is not sick, and is not contagious.

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Tuberculosis Disease

• When the body’s defense breaks down due to a weakened immune system, the germ becomes active.

• It can make the individual sick and be spread to others.

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Causes of a weakened

immune system

• Poor nutrition

• Stress

• Substance abuse

• HIV infection

• Very young or elderly

• Other health problems

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Other parts of the body may be affected

by TB

brain

kidney

spine

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Symptoms of Tuberculosis

• Weight loss

• Fever

• Night sweats

• General malaise

• Coughing up blood

• other symptoms depend on what part of the body is affected.

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Who gets Tuberculosis

Anyone can get TB, but some people are at higher risk:

– Those at higher risk include:

• people from countries where TB is prevalent

• those living or working in crowded conditions

• alcoholics or drug abusers

• people with HIV infection• those with other medical

conditions10

• A small needle is used to put some testing material just under the skin on the inside of your forearm.

• 48 to 72 hours later your forearm is checked for a reaction.

How to find out if you have TB

(Have a TB test)

You can get a TB test called the Mantoux test from your doctor or Health Department

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What determines Negative or Positive test

• Negative– the site of the

injection on the forearm is checked.

– no reaction, or only redness without induration, indicates a negative response.

• Positive

– the induration at the site of the injection is measured.

– predetermined criteria for size sets the standard for results.

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The meaning of a Positive TB test

• You have TB infection, not necessarily TB disease.

• Further testing will determine if you have TB disease.

• You may need to take medication.

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Other Types of TB testing

physical exam

sputum specimens for analysis

chest X-ray

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Tuberculosis Medication

• Taking medication is the only way to kill the TB germ.

• Take the medication for as long as your doctor says to take it.

• Report any problems to your doctor or nurse right away.

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Measures to help prevent the spread of

TB

• Cover your mouth when you cough

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle

• Open windows for fresh air

• Get TB tested

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BCG Vaccine for TB

• A live vaccine derived from a strain of the bacteria.

• It is used in some parts of the world to prevent TB where the disease is prevalent.

• It is rarely used in the United States.

• It’s effectiveness is uncertain.

• It can cause a small reaction to the TB test.

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