Introduction

What is Tuberculosis?

How Do You Get Infected?

Drugs and Resistances

Early Tuberculosis Treatments

Who Will Be Affected?

What if an Outbreak Occurs?

Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


What is Tuberculosis?

 

        Mycobacterium tuberculosis

                 -Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative bacteria of Tuberculosis, is a rod shaped, aerobic bacteria transmitted by the
        sputum of infected individuals.  It has an average latent period of one to two years before it progresses to the active, or pathogenic,
        stage of the infection.  This latent period is the primary cause of the high worldwide incidence, 2 billion people infected, because it
        can be transferred during this period without anyone’s knowledge.

 

 

 

 

 

Current Distribution of Tuberculosis Worldwide

 

 

 

 

      As can be seen by this map, underdeveloped countries have the highest incidence rates of tuberculosis.  Modern medicine, and in
particular antibiotics, has given society the ability to treat and screen for tuberculosis, hence the low incidence rates in developed
countries where this medicine is available.  In 2005, South-East Asia region accounted for the greatest number of new TB cases at
34 % of all those reported. 

In sub-Saharan Africa, the new incidence rate per 100,000 individuals is the highest, nearly doubling those in South-East Asia. 
This is due to the prevalence of HIV within southern Africa, which when coupled with increased poverty and little or medical attention
or knowledge, causes the spread of TB to continue unchecked.

 

 

 

 

Tuberculosis FAQ sheet

 

 

  1. One person is infected with Tuberculosis (TB) every second.

  2. There are an estimated 4,400 deaths per day caused by TB.

  3. It is estimated that 1.6 million deaths resulted from TB in 2005. 

  4. Overall, one-third of the world’s population, or approximately 2 billion people, is currently infected with TB.

  5. Left untreated, each person with active TB will infect on average between 10 and 15 individuals every year.

  6. 5-10% of the people infected with TB will develop the active stage of the disease becoming infectious some time during their life.

  7. Approximately 1/3 of the 40 million people with HIV/AIDS also has TB

  8. Approximately 250,000 people testing with positive for HIV and TB die every year.

  9. HIV positive individuals with TB are 50 times more likely of developing active TB than individuals who are HIV negative

  10. World TB day occurs every year on March 24th.  This day recognizes the discovery of the TB bacteria by the microbiologist
    Robert Koch in 1882.