Tuberculosis Introduction   Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although it usually attacks the lungs, it can attack any part of the body and have lasting effects after the infection has been stopped. Tuberculosis disease was once the leading cause of death in the United States and is still considered a highly dangerous and infectious condition. Today, reported cases of TB are rare in the United States.  The contagious nature of this disease, however, still represents a legitimate concern in modern medicine.  Tuberculosis has also been known as phthisis and/or consumption; first being recognized in Greek medical literature. [1]   Tuberculosis has long been prevalent among elderly people.  In 1900, many people had a latent, or in a sense, ‘hibernating' form of the infection, which seemed to transition into the disease later in life.  In order to break this cycle and protect future generations from becoming infected, patients were isolated and treated in hospitals and specialized quarantined facilities known as sanitariums.  In the 1940s, scientists discovered the first of several drugs now used to treat Tuberculosis.  Gradually, many children entered adulthood without being infected.  As a result, Tuberculosis slowly began to disappear in the United States.  However, between the years of 1985 and 1992, the number of Tuberculosis cases began to increase; promoting medical attention to renew again.  Because of this transient scare, funding for Tuberculosis surveillance and treatment programs has been increased.  Subsequently, cases are once again on the decline. [2] Tuberculosis is spread through the air from person to person.  When an infected individual coughs or sneezes, the bacteria travels through the air.  If another person is within a close vicinity, this individual may breathe it in and become infected.  During the initial contraction of the disease, the bacteria settles in the lung and begins to multiply, potentially traveling through the blood stream to other sites in the body, such as the kidneys, brain and spine.  Tuberculosis infections that take root in the lung or throat can be passed on.  However, if the infection is located in other parts of the body, TB is usually not infectious as it has no direct mechanism to spread from these locations.   Tuberculosis is classed as a granulomatous inflammatory condition, due to tubercles, or the aggregation of white blood cells evident to the naked eye.  This is a common pathologic finding in those with Tuberculosis.  Tubercles represent a "walling off" of the bacteria, which can sometimes kill the bacteria.  Although in other circumstances, the tubercles may grow and cause the destruction of localized tissue.  Potentially, the bacteria can gain entry to the blood stream through destroyed tissues and travel to distant sites, setting up multiple focal sites.  This is called miliary Tuberculosis, and has a high rate of death.   Depending on one's resilience, exposure to Tuberculosis doesn't always mean that symptoms will manifest.  Many times the body is able to halt the growth of the bacteria; walling off the infection and causing it to become inactive, and leaving it to exist in a latent state.  Those with latent Tuberculosis are typically not symptomatic. These persons are unable to spread the disease as readily as those with an active infection, and may take certain measures to prevent further manifestation of the disease.  Many people never experience a full-blown manifestation of Tuberculosis and remain a latent carrier for life.  There is a chance, however, that the infection can become active at a later time.  Activation depends on multiple factors, including a weakened immune system and surrounding environment.  Typically, only around 10% of those infected will display outward signs of infection.  Although within this 10%, lies an estimated  50% mortality rate. [3]     Tuberculosis Symptoms   The outward manifestation of Tuberculosis depends on where the bacteria are growing in the body.  If in the lungs, which is the most common area of infection, typical symptoms include: A bad cough, lasting longer than 2 weeks Pain in the chest Coughing up blood or phlegm Other more general symptoms include: Weakness or fatigue Weight loss Loss of appetite Chills and fever Sweating at night   Differences Between Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Tuberculosis Disease: [5]   Latent Tuberculosis Infection Tuberculosis Disease Have no symptoms/don't feel sick Cannot spread Tuberculosis to others Usually have a positive skin test Chest x-ray and sputum test normal Symptoms include: A bad cough that lasts more than 2 weeks Pain in the chest Coughing up blood or sputum Weakness or fatigue Weight loss No appetite Chills Fever Sweating at night   May spread Tuberculosis to others   Usually have a positive skin test   May have abnormal chest x-ray, and/or positive sputum smear or culture       Tuberculosis Statistics Tuberculosis bacilli infect a new person in the world every second.   About one-third of the world's population is currently infected with the Tuberculosis bacillus.   5-10% of people who are infected with Tuberculosis bacilli manifest Tuberculosis disease at some time during their life. [6]   Number of Tuberculosis cases in the United States: 84,304. (1956)   Number of Tuberculosis cases in the United States: 14,874. (2003)   Number of Deaths due to Tuberculosis in the United States: 19,707. (1956)   Number of Deaths due to Tuberculosis in the United States: 764 (2001). [7] Learn More About Tuberculosis Tuberculosis Introduction Tuberculosis Treatment Products helpful for Tuberculosis   Learn More

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