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By Diane Griffith, HealthAtoZ writer
Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial infection. It can affect different organs, but mainly involves the lungs. When someone with untreated TB coughs or sneezes, droplets containing the TB bacteria fill the air. Someone who inhales the droplets can get TB.
In the United States, 3.8 percent of the population has active TB. An estimated 10 million to 15 million Americans have inactive TB and have no symptoms. People who live in crowded conditions are at a higher risk than others for having TB. Seniors with health conditions, the malnourished, those with weak immune systems and those with HIV are also at a higher risk.
Usually, the immune system does a good job controlling the infection, and walls it off to a small part of the lungs. Most people heal completely and the infection dies off.
Ten percent of infected people will develop active TB at some point in their lives. Those with active TB are sick. They cough and can spread infection to others. The chances for the infection becoming active are greatest during the first year. However, the infection often becomes active many years later.
Symptoms
Early signs of active TB include weight loss, night sweats and loss of appetite. These symptoms may be so mild that they aren't even noticed. Symptoms of chronic TB are more serious. They may include coughing, chest pain and blood in the sputum.
Treatment
Antibiotics can usually treat active TB. If someone does not take the medication, the disease can become active again, and can be spread to others. If medication is not taken correctly, it may no longer work.
Prevention
Being in settings with poor ventilation, like airplanes, increases the chances for the spread of TB. If someone comes into contact with the disease, medication can prevent active infection. This medicine must be taken for 6 to 12 months.
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