TB or Tuberculosis is caused by a highly contagious bacteria called Mycobacterim tuberculosis. The bacteria usually invades the lungs causing damage to tissue and surround structures. The disease is spread through the air by droplets of water due to coughing, spitting or sneezing by an infected person. Worldwide, TB kills about two million people and most cases occur in Asia and Africa. In the last three decades, TB has become a major health problem due to drug resistant strains and the increase of AIDS patients who acquire the disease very easily.
Outcomes of exposure to TB
There are four outcomes possible when exposed to the TB bacteria according to MayoClinic.com. One outcome occurs when the immune system kills the bacteria and removes it from the body. While another outcome includes Latent infection. In this case, the bacteria enter the lungs and multiply, but are encapsulated by the immune system. The bacteria don't die but remain in a dormant state where they may live for years. Symptoms are not present and disease cannot spread. Active TB occurs when TB bacteria overpower the immune system and the organisms begin to multiply and spread throughout the lungs. This action of spreading creates holes in the lungs and the bacteria may spread to other parts of the lungs or the entire body. This stage produces symptoms and is infectious to others. The last outcome occurs when latent TB becomes active TB. In this case, the TB bacteria multiply after being dormant due to weakening of the immune system due to age, ill health, malnutrition, HIV or prolonged use of medication.
TB and HIV
HIV and TB are both related in that one disease causes the spread of the other. The HIV virus infects and destroys the immune system responsible for keeping the TB bacteria in check. When this happens, the bacteria multiply rapidly and cause disease. Therefore, people with HIV are much more likely to get active TB compared to those not infected with HIV. Sudden onset of TB is usually an indication of HIV infection.
Drug resistant TB
One of the major concerns regarding TB in the last two decades has been drug resistance. The TB bacteria have developed resistance to many of the antibiotics and thus reduces treatment options. There are several strains of antibiotic resistant TB and patients are usually quarantined when diagnosed. Unfortunately, no treatment can be administered and symptoms are usually treated. Drug resistance is usually a result of patients not completing their course of antibiotics therefore allowing the bacteria to grow and become resistant.
