Tuberculosis, a Cause for Concern?

>tuberculosis medications. This multidrug-resistant TB
Many believe that tuberculosis (TB) is a disease of(MDR-TB) is posing an even deadlier threat to those
the past. However, tuberculosis is still the leading killeraffected. Individuals affected with MDR-TB are much
of young adults worldwide. This makes tuberculosismore difficult to treat requiring a long term therapy
hardly a disease of the past. In fact, tuberculosis hasof up to two years. The medications required to
emerged once again as a serious public healthtreat these strains can cause serious side effects.
dilemma in the U.S. Despite advances in treatmentsThis is one great reason to complete the entire
available, tuberculosis (TB) still remains a globalcourse of medication as prescribed by your doctor.
pandemic. One third the human population is currentlyCertain factors increase your risk of contracting
infected with tuberculosis. What is tuberculosis?Thetuberculosis. An individual in an immunocompromised
disease tuberculosis is caused by the bacteriastate is at risk of developing TB. A number of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis can affectfactors can cause the immune system to be in a
any part of the body but usually infects the lungs.weakened state. Some diseases can suppress the
Tuberculosis is spread through airborne dropletsimmunity such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and silicosis.
occurring when an infected individual sneezes, talks,Certain medications can affect the body’s
or coughs. However, prolonged exposure to theimmune system which includes chemotherapy drugs
infected individual must occur before you mayand corticosteroids. An increased risk of reactivated
become infected. The body may harbor the bacteriatuberculosis has been associated with the use of
while the immune system prevents sickness. For thisarthritis medications Enbrel and Remicade.
reason, there are two forms of TB: latentIndividuals within close proximity of those infected
tuberculosis and active tuberculosis.with tuberculosis are at an increased risk of
With latent tuberculosis, the immune system is abledeveloping disease. Individuals in areas of high rates
to prevent the bacteria from growing. Theof tuberculosis (Asia, Africa, Latin America, former
tuberculosis bacteria remain alive within the body butSoviet Union) have an increased risk of developing
are inactive at this time. However, the bacteria cantuberculosis. Certain races (Hispanics, American
become active later in life. Those with latentIndians, Asian Americans, African Americans) in the
tuberculosis have no symptoms, do not feel sick, areU.S. are at risk of developing tuberculosis. What other
not contagious, and may develop TB later in life iffactors may increase your risk of developing
they do not receive treatment.tuberculosis?The older adult is at an increased risk of
Active tuberculosis simply means that the tuberculosisdeveloping tuberculosis due to a weakened immune
bacteria are growing within the body causing ansystem. Individuals who are malnourished, lack
active infection. Signs and symptoms of activeadequate medical care, or who suffer from long term
tuberculosis include fatigue, slight fever, chills, nightdrug or alcohol abuse are at increased risk of
sweats, loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, adeveloping tuberculosis. Health care workers are at
cough that lasts three or more weeks producingincreased risk of developing tuberculosis also.
discolored or bloody sputum, and pain with coughingIf you develop any of the signs or symptoms listed
or breathing. Active tuberculosis is highly contagious.above, you should seek medical advice. Individuals
What is causing the tuberculosis pandemic? Improvedwith HIV should be tested for tuberculosis, since the
public health programs have helped to create aleading cause of death in the AIDS patient is
steady decline of tuberculosis cases in the Unitedtuberculosis. HIV and tuberculosis have a deadly
States. However, the problem is far from solved.symbiosis, in which TB increases the rate at which
Factors that contribute to the spread of tuberculosisthe AIDS virus replicates and HIV reactivates inactive
in the U.S. and elsewhere include the increase inTB. Health care workers are usually tested at least
number of foreign born nationals, crowded livingyearly for tuberculosis by Mantoux test. Individuals
conditions, increase in drug resistant strains ofwith latent tuberculosis reveal a positive Mantoux
tuberculosis, lack of access to medical care, and theeven though no symptoms of the disease are
increase in poverty.evident. Tuberculosis is also tested by chest x-ray
Poorly ventilated and crowded conditions help toand culture tests (urine, sputum).
spread TB. This is one reason tuberculosis cases haveTuberculosis is a preventable disease. There are a
reached epidemic proportions. Although the incidencefew measures one can take to protect their health.
of TB cases in the U.S. is declining, the incidence inFirst, you should be tested regularly. If you have an
other parts of the world is increasing. Half of theimmune suppressing disease, live or work in a prison
reported cases in the U.S. (in 2000) occurred inor nursing home, were born in a TB prevalent
individuals that were born outside of the U.S.country, or have other risk factors, then a Mantoux
Individuals that live in poverty, move or migratetest should be done every six months.
often usually do not finish the tuberculosis treatment.If you test positive without symptoms, speak with
This is leading to drug resistant forms of tuberculosis.your doctor about treatments to reduce the risk of
Drug resistant strains of tuberculosis are a seriousdeveloping active tuberculosis. The most important
problem. Tuberculosis bacteria have developed strainsstep you can do for the public and yourself is to
of the bacteria that are resistant to each of thefinish the entire course of medication. Treatment that
major tuberculosis medications. There are also strainsis stopped to early allows the bacteria a chance to
of tuberculosis that are resistant to at least twomutate to a drug resistant form.