| Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by | | | | discharges thrown on floor, walls, furniture, or |
| tubercle bacilli. It is known throughout the world, but | | | | clothes, which after drying get converted into fine |
| it is more common in developing countries. | | | | particles and mix with dust. |
| Tuberculosis is a specific disease which primarily | | | | 3. By handling sputum and other discharges of the |
| affects lungs and causes pulmonary tuberculosis. It | | | | tubercular patient. |
| can also affect intestines, meninges of the brain, | | | | 4. by direct contact with the patient. |
| bones, joints, lymph glands, skin and other tissues of | | | | 5. by consuming food and drinks contaminated with |
| the body. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most | | | | tubercle bacilli. |
| important form of tuberculosis which affects people. | | | | Infection symptoms last from a few months to a |
| Pulmonary tuberculosis is caused by mycobacterium | | | | few years depending upon the host, parasite |
| tuberculosis; an acid fast bacillus discovered by | | | | contact, and the severity of the infection. |
| Robert Koch, a German scientist is 1882. Three types | | | | Signs and Symptoms |
| of tubercle bacilli are responsible for tuberculosis in | | | | Early symptoms |
| people which include human type, bovine type and | | | | - Excessive fatigue |
| atypical or anonymous mycobacterium. The bovine | | | | - Slight rise in temperature in the evening |
| strain affects cattle and other animals. | | | | - Slight palpitation and rapid pulse. |
| How it spreads | | | | - Chest pain |
| | | | - Loss of weight |
| 1. It is spread by droplet infection. When the droplets | | | | - Night Sweating |
| are expelled by tubercular patients through coughing, | | | | - Chronic cough and hoarseness of throat. |
| sneezing, talking and are inhaled by the healthy | | | | Later symptoms |
| person. | | | | - The body is wasted, cheeks are flushed, eyes |
| 2. By inhaling fine dust particles containing tubercle | | | | sunken and the lips are dry. |
| bacilli derived from dried sputum and other infected | | | | - The breathe has a peculiar odor. |