One Third of World Population Infected with Tuberculosis: Why is it so Dangerous Disease?

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the part of the lungs. It may also be transmitted to other parts of the body, including the meninges of the brain, the kidneys, bones and lymph.

The Primary infectious agent is Mycobacterium tuberculosis; it is an acid fast aerobic rod which grows slowly and is sensitive to heat and ultra violet light. Tuberculosis is a worldwide public health problem, and the mortality and morbidity rate continue to rise.

Tuberculosis infects about one third of the world’s population and remains the leading cause of death from infectious disease in the world because it kills about 2 million people per year. It is the leading cause of death among HIV –positive people.

Tuberculosis is closely associated with poverty, malnutrition and overcrowding, substandard housing and inadequate health care. According to survey 10 percent of people with Tuberculosis which is latent are not yet treated meaning the bacteria will begin to multiply and progress to active disease.  In year 1990’s 80 percent of United States Population was infected by this disease.

In 1952, anti TB medications were introduced, and the rate of reported cases of Tuberculosis in the U.S. declined an average of 6 percent each year between 1953 and 1985. It was thought that by the early part of the 21^st century, Tuberculosis might be eliminated in the United States.

Tuberculosis spreads from person to person by means of airborne transmission. An infected person releases droplet that is 1 to 5 micrometers in diameter through talking, coughing, singing, sneezing and laughing.

Risk factors are the following: close contact with someone who has active tuberculosis; immunocompromised status meaning those who have HIV infection, cancer, transplanted organ and prolonged high dose corticosteroid therapy; substance abuse like IV or injection drug users and alcoholics;

The signs and symptoms of tuberculosis are different. Most people have a low grade fever, cough, fatigue, night sweats and weight loss. The cough may be nonproductive, or mucupurulent sputum may be expectorated. Coughing out of blood may also occur. Both systemic and pulmonary symptoms are usually chronic and may have been present for weeks to months. The elderly usually present with less pronounced symptoms than do younger patients. Extra pulmonary disease occurs in up to 16 percent of cases in the United States.

Tuberculosis is treated with chemotherapeutic drugs for 6 to 12months. A prolonged treatment is necessary to ensure eradication of organism and to prevent relapse.