Tuberculosis -Leading Causes of Death

The main etiologic ingredient which causes TB in humans is the pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Ismeurt & Long, 1993, p. 16). This harshfast, aerobic rod bacterium is approximately 0.5 micrometers in bear-sizedness and from 1 to 4 micrometers in length.

It is transmitted among humans by inhalation of airborne droplets. These droplets ar propelled into the air when tidy sum with the infirmity cough, sneeze, speak, or sing. Air currents that be normally present in indoor spaces squeeze out keep the small droplets airborne for protracted periods (Long et al., 1993, p. 13). Significant indicators of the relative risk of TB transmittance take on the duration of exposure, the number of airborne organisms present, and the size of the droplets (Ismeurt & Long, 1993, p. 16).

While the lungs are typically the first organs exposed to TB, M. tuberculosis can also spread to other tissues and organs. It tends to favor those which are richly oxygenated such as the kidneys, meninges, and growing bone tissue in children (Long et al., 1993, p. 13). It whitethorn also present as a disseminated contagious disease (miliary tuberculosis) (Stead, 1989, p. 398).

A common misconception with TB, however, is that it is easily transmitted (Boutotte, 1993, p. 43). Actually, most people who are exposed do not become infected. Usually, the upper berth airway prevents inhaled TB organisms from e

Finally, the distemper can also be a problem when large groups of persons must live together under crowded conditions. many studies have shown that a widespread excess risk for TB exists in nursing homes and correctional facilities (Hutton et al., 1993, p. 305). In fact, the case valuate of TB for people age 65 and over is high than that for any other age group. For example, Stead (1989) measured order of 150 to 200 per 100,000 among the elderly, as compared with 4 to 6 per 100,000 in adults age 15 to 44.

Completing the diagnosis then requires a sputum culture. In general, several sputum samples are taken. This enhances the chances of discovering an infection (Madsen, 1990, p. 48).

For example, the treatment of people with only a positive disrobe test and no evidence of active disease typically consists of an entire year of prophylactic INH therapy (Madsen, 1990, p. 50).

Although the overall relative incidence of reported TB in the U.S. in 1990 was 10.3 cases per 100,000 population, its distribution is quite a heterogenous (Hutton et al., 1993, p. 305). In some groups and areas, the incidence rates are nearly zero; while, in others, the epidemiologic pattern resembles that seen in developing countries (Hutton et al., 1993, p. 305). Risk factors for TB include living in areas of the country where medicine is scarce and being in little health. M. tuberculosis meets less resistance in hosts whose immune systems are already compromised by HIV, advanced age, malnutrition, cancer chemotherapy, or steroid medication in excess of 15 mg/day. as well at risk are patients with insulindependent diabetes, chronic renal failure, and lungs scarred by silicosis (Madsen, 1990, p. 46).

Many patients can leave the infirmary and resume their normal activities about a week subsequently the initiation of drug therapy. These patients, however, must be made to construe that they are not "cured." The drug therapy regimens must be completed. This may take up to six months to a
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