Tuberculosis and Its Effects on the Body System

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Disease/Condition and its Effect on the Body System
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by the bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria primarily attack the lungs but the infection can spread to other body parts such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. Symptoms of tuberculosis are cough (possibly with blood and mucus), fatigue, and shortness of breath, fever, and pain in the chest. If the infection is not treated the bacteria can destroy the tissue of the infected organ and it may leave permanent disabling scar tissues. Tuberculosis bacteria are carried in the air and enter the body through the airway and spread by coughing. Even though the bacteria can be easily spread, catching the disease is pretty hard; to be infected one must be in close proximity with the infected person for a long period of time. It is more likely to be infected by family members or close friends than a stranger unless a person has a compromised immune system.

Statistics
One third of the world's population is infected with tuberculosis, in 2012 an estimated 9 million people becomes sick around the world, and there are 1.3 million TB related deaths worldwide. Statistically countries with low economic backgrounds have a higher infection rate such as India and other East Asian countries. People who have emigrated from those countries to the United States develop the disease within 2-3 years of immigrating. In 2012 there are 9,945 cases that are reported in the United States (3.2 out of 100,000 people). More men ranging from 22 to 44 years of age develop the disease than women. Extra pulmonary TB is 10% to 30% more common among women and children. TB is the leading killer of people who are HIV positive, an estimated 1 out of 10 will be infec...

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...ills millions it is nice to know that there are plenty of organization that helps spread awareness and provide care for those who are affected. I learned that the medicine will only help the patient if the patient wants to help themselves and for those who seek help but are non compliant with the regimen will only make the bacteria worst and may possibly spread the bacteria that is immune to the medications. The resources for help and support for tuberculosis are easy to find, if the patient doesn’t know where to start they can ask their healthcare provider for information.

Works Cited

CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm
New Jersey Medical School. (n.d.). History of tb. Retrieved from http://globaltb.njms.rutgers.edu/tbhistory.htm
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/tb/challenges/gender/en/

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