Our Tuberculosis Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Tuberculosis

Definition of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis: A highly contagious infection caused by the bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Abbreviated TB. Tubercles (tiny lumps) are a characteristic finding in TB. Diagnosis may be made by skin test, which if positive should will be followed by a chest X-ray to determine the status (active or dormant) of the infection. Tuberculosis is more common in people with immune system problems, such as AIDS, than in the general population. Treatment of active tuberculosis is mandatory by law in the US, and should be available at no cost to the patient through the public health system. It involves a course of antibiotics and vitamins that lasts about six months. It is important to finish the entire treatment, both to prevent reoccurrence and to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis. Most patients with tuberculosis do not need to be quarantined, but it is sometimes necessary.

Although there are millions of new cases of TB each year, not everyone exposed to the bacterium becomes infected nor does everybody infected with it develop clinical symptoms of TB. A genetic region has been discovered to be associated with clinical TB. People with at least one high-risk copy of this genetic region are ten times more likely to develop TB than normal. The genetic region contains a gene, NRAMP1, that is known to be involved in the susceptibility to leprosy, which is caused by a bacterium related to TB.

See also: Tuberculous meningitis.

Common Misspellings: tubercolosis

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• isoniazid-oral, Niazid - Consumer information about the medication ISONIAZID - ORAL (Niazid), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug ISONIAZID - ORAL.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test (PPD Skin Test) - The tuberculosis skin test (also known as the tuberculin or PPD test) determines whether a person has developed an immune response to the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB). Learn how the test is administered, how a reading is obtained, and how the results are interpreted.
• Pneumonia - Learn pneumonia symptoms, causes, treatment, signs, diagnosis and types: viral and bacterial (Pneumocystis carinii, Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae).

Read more Tuberculosis related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Antibiotic Resistance Still a Major Public Health Threat
• Worldwide Vaccine Availability Reaches All-Time High: Report
• Could the Recession Be Good for Your Health?
• Faster Detection of TB May Be on the Horizon