Tuberculosis
By: Mikayla Rhyne, Holly Gooding & Savannah Carter
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis us a contagious disease caused by a bacterium: most commonly affects the lungs (Silvertein). It also affects lymph nodes. bones, central nervous system, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems (Examiner).
Causes
Tuberculosis is caused by several different kinds of bacteria that belonged to a group called Mycobacteria (Silverstein). TB is spread from person to person through contaminated droplets sprayed out into the air when an infected coughs and sneezes (Silverstein).
Effects
"Effects of TB can be lung damage that may lead to death, meningitis, military TB and arthritis" (Examiner). Some symptoms of TB include: loss of weight, loss of energy, poor apetite, night sweats, fever and coughing up blood (Examiner). "The TB rates for blacks, Hispanics, and other racial and ethnic groups were found to be higher than for whites" (Kelly).
Conclusion
In conclusion, TB still remains as one of the worlds main cause of death, especially in new countries (Silverstein). TB is over centuries old. It has been around for many years (Silverstein).
Solutions
Treatment for TB can be at least six months of taking anitbiotics such as Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol (Silverstein). "The goal for treating latent TB is killing the bacteria before it turns into active disease" (Kelly). "People with latent TB are not contagious, so they can continue their normal activites during treatment" (Kelly).
Works Cited
Kelly, Evelyn B., Ian Wilker, and Marylou Ambrose. Investigating Tuberculosis and Superbugs: Real Facts for Real Lives. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 2011. Print. Silverstein, Alvin, Virginia B. Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein. Nunn. The Tuberculosis Update. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Elementary, 2006. Print. McClain DeAna. Tuberculosis: Causes, Effects, and Treaments. Examiner.com. 21 April 2011.