Tuberculosis

"TB" is also known as Tuberculosis

Bryan Luther

HCS/245

October 24, 2011

Tynan Weed

"TB" is also known as Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a very contagious bacterial infection that is spread by when the infected coughs, sneezes, speaks, or even sings. What many people do not know is that this disease is not spread by kissing, sharing food, shaking hands, or touching everyday ordinary things. TB is extremely dangerous as it attacks more than just the lungs and has been known to destroy the brain by causing meningitis, destroy kidney function, and cause the spine to collapse resulting in paralysis (Maloof, 2011). Rich Maloof talks about how TB is often talked about as the disease that was cured decades ago and counters by saying that it is very much alive today. Rich goes on to say that about 13,500 people a year are diagnosed with it in the United States and 3 states accounted for more than 42 percent of those cases. What is even more interesting is that 33 percent of the world is actually infected with the bacteria but most of which are just TB in its dormant state (Maloof, 2011). People can carry the bacteria and never end up getting the disease. The article simply states that only 10 percent of those who carry the bacteria in its dormant state develop this terrible disease (Maloof, 2011). An interesting fact is Eleanor Roosevelt carried dormant TB in her bone marrow for about 40 years. To this day people argue over her cause of death as many believe it was the TB becoming active and destroying her major organs.

No claims are made within the article for treatment but there are treatments available. First, this disease does have a vaccination but the United States does not issue it to anyone. The US takes the approach of testing for the disease and if it comes back positive than further tests are conducted to determine if it is active or dormant. Then that individual is put onto specific medication to not only prevent the spread of TB to others...