Illustration of the symptoms of tuberculosis. [Photo/dovemed.com] Tuberculosis is a respiratory disease that is transmitted by droplets of respiratory secretions exhaled by one person and inhaled by another. This transmission can be passed when an individual with active TB coughs, sneezes or transmits respiratory fluids through the air.
When a healthy person inhales the TB bacteria and they get to the lung, the immune system fights off the bacteria and prevents the spread. If this isn't successful, the bacteria will kill the lung tissue.
The spot attacked by the bacteria liquefies over time and when the infected person coughs it up, it leaves a hole. The hole can still be healed by the immune system until its dormancy is reactivated by old age, influenza, cancer or pneumonia.
Tuberculosis not only attacks the lungs but other parts of the body as well. Pulmonary TB is tuberculosis occurring in the lungs.
Extrapulmonary TB occurs outside the lungs. It mostly affects immunosupressed persons like those with HIV or children.
Tuberculosis can be treated. Symptoms include fever, persistent cough, weight loss, recurrent night sweats, loss of appetite and fatigue.
A strong immune system is your first line of defense against TB. Observe a balanced diet and avoid stress which has a suppressing effect on the immune system.