Diseases caused by bacteria (TB) Flashcards
What bacterium causes tuberculosis?
The bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes the lung disease tuberculosis.
What other parts of the body can Mycobacterium tuberculosis attack?
It can also attack other parts of the body such as the kidneys, brain, and spinal cord.
How is tuberculosis spread?
TB is spread through the air when infected people cough or sneeze.
In what conditions does TB spread quickly?
The bacterium spreads quickly in confined, overcrowded spaces where there is poverty and poor sanitation.
Who can be infected by TB?
TB can infect anyone who breathes in the bacterium.
Who is more likely to develop TB?
It usually develops in people with weak immune systems such as babies, young children, HIV positive people, drug users, diabetics, and poverty-stricken people.
What are some effects of TB on infected persons?
Effects include extreme tiredness and weakness, loss of appetite and weight, chills, fever and sweating at night, excessive coughing, chest pains, and coughing up blood.
What is required for the management of TB?
Management requires identification of infections through X-rays, skin tests, or tissue cultures, and educating the patient regarding the completion of treatment.
What does treatment of TB involve?
Treatment involves a number of drugs over a period of about 6 months.
What happens if patients do not complete their TB treatment?
They can develop a drug-resistant form of TB which is very difficult to treat.
Where are patients often kept for TB treatment?
Patients are often kept in a TB hospital for treatment and to make sure they take their medication.
What is DOTS?
DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course) was developed to ensure that the patient completes their treatment.
