Home > Site Map > Conditions > T > Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
	Tuberculosis or TB was very common in the U.S. before antibiotics were developed. It is still a common cause of death in developing countries. The bacteria lodges in the lungs and can become active immediately or wait months or years to emerge as an active infection. For that reason only the pulmonary form of the disease will be discussed here. Because of this, patients with known TB must have special isolation precautions. People with weak immune systems are more likely to have active TB. The risk of Tuberculosis (TB), especially among children, increases with the following risk factors: having a family history of tuberculosis infection going back two to three generations; having traveled abroad or having been exposed to foreign visitors; having contact with HIV-infected persons; having contact with current or previous prison inmates; and living in high-risk areas. Diagnosis & Tests Diagnosis will almost certainly require lab tests and X-rays. It shares symptoms with many other respiratory infections. Since TB is not extremely common in the United States at this time, suspect other problems before you suspect TB. Presence of signs and symptoms Treatment for other respiratory infections has not cleared the problem The following would increase your suspicion of TB: History of exposure to someone with active TB History of previous active TB History of a positive TB test (also called a PPD test) in the past History of travel to a country where TB is common (most third world nations) History of working/living in a high-risk area: hospital, nursing home, prison, group home, drug treatment center, refugee camp, etc. If you are in the close company of others suspected of being at risk for TB, everyone should be screened annually for TB. The test is cheap and easy. If someone in your group has been exposed, REQUIRE them to go through the full course of treatment, which can take up to 9 months.
Tuberculosis is linked to:
	Neuritis/Neuropathy Night Sweats Addison's Disease Bursitis Monocytes Elevated