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Tuberculosis (TB) is a
contagious and potentially life-threatening disease transmitted through
the air. While it can affect any part of the body (such as the brain, the
kidneys or the spine), TB usually affects the lungs. When first infected
with the TB germ, people usually do not feel sick or have any symptoms.
However, they may develop active TB disease in the future.
Although both preventable
and curable, tuberculosis once was the leading cause of death in the
United States. Today in Illinois, less than 30 deaths a year are
attributed to tuberculosis and the number of cases in the state has fallen
more than 40 percent in the past 10 years, reaching an all-time low of 633
in 2003.
What is the difference
between TB infection and TB disease?
People with TB infection
have the TB germ in their bodies but are not sick because the germs are
inactive and, therefore, cannot be spread to others. Because these people
may develop the disease in the future, they often are given preventive
treatment.
People with TB disease are
sick from the germs that are active in their bodies. They exhibit symptoms
of the disease and, if they have TB of the lungs or throat, can spread the
disease to others. Physicians can prescribe drugs to cure TB.
Are some people at
greater risk of getting TB?
Although anyone may get TB,
the following people are at higher risk:
- Persons who have been in
close contact with an active TB case
- Persons who are infected with
or at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Foreign-born persons from
countries where TB is common
- Persons with other medical
conditions, such as diabetes, silicosis, end-stage renal disease and
some forms of cancer, that increase the risk of TB once infection has
occurred
- Persons 65 years of age or
older
- Residents of long-term care
facilities, such as nursing homes or prisons
- Persons who abuse alcohol or
use intravenous drugs
- Persons in occupations that
serve groups at high risk for TB
- Minority and other medically
underserved populations
How serious is the
problem among minorities?
TB disproportionately
affects racial and ethnic minority groups. This is particularly true among
children. In the U.S., more than 80 percent of childhood cases of TB occur
in minority groups. Overall, from 1985 through 1993, TB cases increased
among non-Hispanic blacks by 18 percent, among Asians and Pacific
Islanders by 48 percent and among Hispanics by 67 percent. In contrast,
cases among non-Hispanic whites decreased by 18 percent.
What are the symptoms of
TB disease?
The general symptoms of TB
disease include feeling sick or weak, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
TB of the lungs causes the general symptoms plus coughing, sometimes
producing blood, and chest pain. Other symptoms depend on the part of the
body that is affected.
How is TB spread?
TB is spread from person to
person through the air. When people with TB disease of the lungs or throat
cough or sneeze, they can put TB germs into the air. Then other people who
breathe in the air containing these germs can become infected. People with
TB disease are most likely to spread it to people with whom they spend
time with every day, such as family members or coworkers. (Remember,
though, a person must have active TB disease to spread it; persons who are
infected but do not have the disease cannot spread TB to others.)
If a person thinks he or she has been in close contact with someone with
TB disease, it is important to go to a clinic or health department for a
TB skin test.
How is a person tested
for TB?
The tuberculin skin test is
used to find out whether a person is infected with the TB germ. It does
not tell whether the person has TB disease. For the skin test, a small
amount of fluid--called tuberculin--is injected under the skin in the
lower part of the arm. Two or three days later, a health care worker
checks the site of the injection to see if there has been a reaction.
What does a positive
reaction mean?
A positive reaction to the
tuberculin skin test usually means that the person has been infected with
the TB germ. It does not necessarily mean that the person has TB disease.
Other tests, such as a chest X-ray and a sample of sputum, are needed to
see whether the person has TB disease.
How is TB disease
treated?
TB disease can be cured by
taking several drugs for six to nine months. It is very important that
people who have TB disease take the drugs exactly as prescribed. If a
person stops taking the drugs too soon or if the drugs are not taken
correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to the
drugs. This makes the disease much harder to treat. Generally, after the
first several weeks of drug therapy, most TB patients become
non-infectious.
How is TB infection
treated?
The drug used to prevent TB
infection from developing into TB disease is isoniazid. It must be taken
for six to 12 months. The drug may cause liver problems in certain people,
especially older individuals and people with liver disease. Therefore,
people who are taking isoniazid should be monitored carefully for signs of
adverse reactions. |
