| losis is an infection caused by the Koch bacillus, also | | | | pasteurized (a heating process that kills the bacteria) |
| known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it primarily | | | | it does not cause TB any more. |
| affects the lungs and it is contagious. Besides the | | | | When a person gets infected with TB, the germ |
| lungs, TB can also affect lymph nodes, intestinal | | | | enters the lungs and causes a local infection. The |
| tract, kidneys, bones, and brain. | | | | lymph nodes are connected to the lymphatic system |
| Tuberculosis is known to exist even before the year | | | | and could get enlarged. Using the lymphatic system |
| 2000BC, and writings from Egypt and Babylon | | | | the infection could spread in all the body and affect |
| mention it. Until the discovery of the antibiotic | | | | all the organs. Sometimes the immune system stops |
| treatment and of the BCG vaccine, TB made a lot of | | | | the infection by creating a scar tissue all around the |
| victims during a global epidemic. | | | | infected area, and so the infection becomes inactive. |
| There are some germs belonging to the | | | | If at some time the immune system becomes |
| Mycobacterium family, referred to as atypical | | | | weakened due to another infection or to cancer the |
| tuberculosis. Generally these organisms live among | | | | TB germs could pass by the scar tissue and spread |
| other germs in the body and do not cause any harm, | | | | the infection in the body. |
| but sometimes they can lead to an infection or even | | | | In preventing the infection with TB some countries |
| to the typical tuberculosis. | | | | vaccinate their children with the BCG vaccine.This is a |
| Healthy persons receive the infection if living or | | | | vaccine prepared of a weakened Tb germ, and it is |
| working in the same place with the infected person. | | | | considered to be the most effective vaccine in |
| By coughing, shouting or sneezing, the infected | | | | preventing childhood cases of TB. |
| person spreads the germs into the air, and others | | | | In treating TB, doctors use a combination of |
| inhale them. Shaking hands or touching clothes does | | | | antibiotics because using only one drug could lead to |
| not infect others. | | | | the bacterial resistance to this drug. The drugs used |
| Another form of tuberculosis is transmitted by | | | | nowadays are: isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and |
| drinking unpasteurized milk. The responsible bacterium | | | | ethambutol, in different combinations. |
| for this form of TB infection is called Mycobacterium | | | | Generally if the treatment is followed all the way, a |
| bovis. Years before, this bacterium was a major | | | | person can heal without problems, and reintegrate |
| cause of TB in children, but now since most milk is | | | | within the society in about 6 to 9 months. |