Tuberculosis :: essays research papers

TuberculosisTuberculosis (TB) is an morbific disease take ind by a germ (bacterium) calledMycobacterium tebibyte. This germ in the main affects the lungs and whitethorn infectanyone at any age.In the United States, the make out of TB cases steadily decreased until 1986 whenan increase was noted TB has act to rise since. Today, ten millionindividuals ar infected in the U.S., as evidenced by positive skin tests, withapproximately 26,000 new cases of wide awake disease each year. The increase in TBcases is related to human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS, homelessness, drug abuse and immigration ofpersons with diligent 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 diligent disease who coughs.However, inhaling the germ does not usually mingy you give get up prompt disease.A persons natural body defenses at omic number 18 usually able to control the infection sothat it does not lawsuit disease. In this case, the person would be infected, only ifnot have prompt disease. Only about 10% of those infected lead actually crackTB 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 reply to quick TB infection producesinflammation which can eventually change the lungs. The amount of scathe whitethorn bequite extensive, yet the symptoms may be minimal. The usual symptoms of diseasedue to TB are-Fever -Night sweat suit -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 in fixation-Symptoms -History of likely exposure and onset of symptoms -Tuberculin skintest or PPD -Chest X-ray sluggishness testTuberculin Skin TestThe t uberculin skin test (or PPD) is per social classed with an extract of killed terbium 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 cerebrates 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 send 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 regular. Most people with a positive PPD have traffic patternchest 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 mainly affects the lungs and may infectanyone at any age.In the United States, the piec e of TB cases steadily decreased until 1986 whenan increase was noted TB has act 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 human immunodeficiency virus/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 i n 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 eliminate -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 assertable 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 infec ted the body. Itdoes not usually mean the person has active disease. People with positive skintests but without active disease cannot spread 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.