2017-02-14T03:08:00.000-08:00

Tuberculosis

What is it?

Tuberculosis also known as 'TB' is a contagious infection affecting the lungs but is capable of spreading to other parts of the human body such as the brain, kidney and spine. This was one of the main causes of death during the 20th Century in the United States. There are 2 types of Tuberculosis, one being Latent TB. This means the bacteria remains at an inactive state in the body causing no symptoms and isn't contagious. Whereas Active TB, causes sickness that is able to be spread along to others surrounding you, it can occur in the first few weeks after the infection or a few years later

What are the Symptoms?

There are many symptoms that occur while suffering Tuberculosis. These can include:

Coughing that lasts three weeks or more
Coughing up blood or sputum (mucus from deep inside the lungs)
Weakness or fatigue
Unintentional weight loss
Fever
Sweating (often at night)
Chills throughout the body while also sweating at night.

What causes it?

Tuberculosis is caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium. First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, a German physician and scientist. This pathogen is known to cause serious diseases in mammals including tuberculosis and leprosy. It originated around 70,000 years ago in Africa but as Humans and TB bacteria have not only have materialized in the same location. Mycobacterium reproduces through the same process most bacteria does. They go through a Binary Fission a kind of asexual reproduction. By replicating its genetic material, the cell separates into two nearly equal sized daughter cells.

How is Tuberculosis caught?

Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person through microscopic droplets liberated into the air. This is often occurred when an untreated patient suffering from Active TB coughs, sneezes, laughs, sings or even speaks. Although it seems that it is able to be passed on easily, Tuberculosis is quite difficult to catch.

How can it be cured?

To be able to be cured, antibiotics must be consumed for at least 6 to 9 months. The precise drugs are dependant on the patient's age, overall health, the type of TB (latent or active) while also the infection location in the body. Patients suffering from Latent tuberculosis may only need to consume one type of drug although active tuberculosis will require several drugs at once including Isoniazid, Rifampin, Ethambutol or Pyrazinamide.

What are vaccinations?

Vaccinations are basically a training system for the immune system, preparing the body to fight disease without allowing it to expose to disease symptoms. When the bacteria from a disease enters the body, they start to reproduce. Your immune system then recognizes these germs as invaders while respond by creating antibodies. The antibodies first destroy the germs causing you to feel sick terminating the attacking germs.

What are the 3 lines of defence?

The 3 lines of defence in the immune system help protect and set barriers to defend pathogens causing infectious diseases. The first line of defence in the body is to prevent the arrival of invading pathogens. Including physical defenders such as skin, coughing, sneezing cilia and nasal hairs. While also, chemical barriers such as saliva, tears, stomach acid and acidic vaginal mucus. This first line of defence is nonspecific and attacks all incoming particles. Some of these pathogens get past the first line of defence and then enter the body. This is where the second line of defence comes in. The pathogen infects the area where it passess and becomes inflamed. These symptoms can include redness, swelling and warmth. As blood flow is increasing to the inflamed area, white blood cells also known as phagocytes enter the area destroying the pathogens. The second line of defence is also non-specific as the first line.

When the pathogen once again passes through the first and second lines of defence, an immune response is triggered by the antigen on the surface of the pathogen. This is where the third and final line of defence builds its barrier. Lymphocytes also known as White blood cells are produced to control the carrying of pathogens in the body. There are two types of white blood cells, B and T lymphocytes. The B cells produce plasma cells that make antibodies holding together the antigen and disabling it. The phagocytes or T lymphocytes swallow up and demolish the pathogen. Both white blood cells produce memory cells perceiving the pathogen if it happens to invade the body in future appearances. The third line of defence is specific unlike the first two barriers as it recognises the disease and arranges an immune response specific to the pathogen.

Treated for Tuberculosis

The BCG vaccine (tuberculosis vaccine) contains a weakened antigens of TB bacteria building up the immunity while allowing the body to defend itself without causing the actual disease. Although they aren't able to cause an infection, once they are exposed to the immune system, they are automatically seen as an enemy producing antibodies against them. Once it has passed the antibodies will disintegrate but the memory cells will remain in the body.

Role of Vaccinations

The role of vaccinations are for the immune system to react to the vaccine in a similar way that it would be if your body was invaded by the disease. As it contains extracts or inactivated forms of bacteria that cause disease although not causing the disease itself. The antibodies help to defend and eliminate the foreign organisms while remaining in the body protecting it from upcoming and future diseases.

Image of Mycobacterium

Bibliography:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20188557

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/infections/a8587/bcg-vaccine-ssi/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycobacterium_tuberculosis

http://lungfoundation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Tuberculosis-June-2014.pdf

http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Public+Content/SA+Health+Internet/Health+topics/Health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/Infectious+diseases/Tuberculosis/Tuberculosis+TB+-+including+symptoms+treatment+and+prevention