Tuberculosis By Erin Murphy

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Tuberculosis


Different names for Tuberculosis
The most common name is TB.
However there are a few other names for tuberculosis such as Koch’s Disease, because the man who
discovered it was called Robert Koch. He was a German doctor, he discovered the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
There is another name called Wasting Disease, the name refers to symptoms of Tuberculosis meaning the
person who begins to waste away, it first steals their energy.

What causes it? and How is it transmitted?


A person can get infected with Tuberculosis with the tuberculosis bacteria, when someone breathes in tiny
particles of sputum from the air.
There are 4 types of Tuberculosis they are:
Primary TB pneumonia.
Renal TB.
TB meningitis.
TB peritonitis.

Parts of the body that Tuberculosis can effect :
Tuberculosis meningitis: Brain
This is caused by the TB, bacteria effecting the brain, from another part of the body.

Genitourinary TB: uterus/testicles
In men, TB can be mistaken for a tumor in their testicles .If women get TB in the uterus
10 % can become sterial ( can’t have children) .

Gastrointestinal TB: stomach
In any area that involves the intestines/stomach may become infected.

Tuberculosis lymphadenitis (scrofula): Lymph Glands
Lymph glands are in the neck, armpit and groin The most common site is that TB infects
is generally the glands in the neck.

Cutaneous TB: TB of the skin
Several different types of skin TB exist.
Direct infection of the skin causes lesion called the Tuberculous Chancre


Uterus Ovarian TB: Womb
Female genital organs are one of the common sites to be involved in women.
Women can have TB in the womb for a very long time without them knowing, due to the fact that it can remain totally symptomless.
Women can only have this form of TB for a short while before becoming sterile.

Osteo-articular Skeletal - Bone - Joint TB:
TB is most common in the spine "Potts diseases.
Symptoms include back pain or stiffness. It can also effect any joint in the body, which sometimes causes paralysis ( the loss of ability to move).

As you can see TB can infect nearly every part of the body.

What are the symptoms? How long do they last? Is it deadly?

TB has two conditions such as :


  • Inactive TB. is when you have the bacteria inside you but the bacteria is dorment. this condition has
    no symptoms and isn't contagious.
  • Active TB. This condition makes you sick and can spread to others. It can be cured but also deadly.
Signs and symptoms of active TB include:
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Tiredness
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Chills
  • Loss of appetite
Tuberculosis usually attacks your lungs. Signs and symptoms of TB of the lungs include: