TB Flashcards
Does it have a long or short incubation period?
Long as it is a slow progressing disease
How is it transmitted?
Large aerosol droplets from an individuals lung to another lung
Who gets TB?
Disease of poverty, poor housing conditions, those with concurrent infections (e.g. HIV) or immunocompromised
What kind of infection is it?
Mycobacterium infection
What reservoirs are there?
Animal and human
Does it occur sporadically or in outbreaks?
Endemic in some countries with outbreaks occasionally
Who gets the vaccine?
Those with parents from high risk countries in UK
Is it a notifiable disease?
Yes
What is the best way to prevent TB?
Treatment as prevention - curing the sick prevents transmission
What is the DOTS strategy?
Directly observed treatment short course - 6 months of observed chemotherapy for anyone that has a positive sputum sample
Results in better adherence and outcomes and prevents resistance to drugs
What happens if someone’s TB is drug resistant?
Long course of treatment (18-24 months)
Try 2nd and 3rd line treatments
Issues with side effects and toxicity of drugs
Who is likely to get latent TB?
Those with weakened immune systems - increasing age, concurrent infections etc.
What do you do for someone who you think is likely to develop latent TB?
Give them chemoprophylaxis
