Tuberculosis

Question 1

List the risk factors for acquisition of tuberculosis (social, environmental, individual)

Answer 1

HIV/AIDS, Travel to country with High TB Prevalence,

Aboriginal descent, Homeless persons, Prisoners, alcohol, injection drugs, Poor ventilation,

Question 2

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis

Answer 2

Chronic cough (>3 weeks), Fever, Night Sweats, Hemoptysis (blood in sputum), weight loss

Question 3

Difference between primary infection and reactivation of tuberculosis

Answer 3

Primary: Following exposure to infectious TB.. usually sub-clinical or asymptomatic (latent) but progressive get big lymph nodes (see on X-ray)
Reactivation: Development of active TB following a period of latency.

Question 4

Describe common extra pulmonary sites of tuberculosis

Answer 4

CNS, Lymphatics, Pleura, Disseminated, Bones and joints of spine, Genito-urinary.

Question 5

Discuss methods used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis

Answer 5

1.Clinical assessment: signs/symptoms, risk
2. Markers of Active TB:
- X-rays/Ultrasound
- Take culture(from sputum), then test for Acid Fast Bacilli (Nucleic acid test!!)
Note: TST (Tuberculin Skin testing CANNOT diagnose Active TB disease, only identify exposure/latent infection.

Question 6

Insights into the treatments available for tuberculosis

Answer 6

1. Interrupt Transmission
2. Relieve Symptoms
3. Prevent Drug resistance, use multiple drugs!
4. Provide cure and prevent relapse, ex. police officers decrease risk