gpttuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. It is spread through the air when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes, releasing small droplets containing the bacteria into the air.

Symptoms of TB include a persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood, fatigue, weight loss, and fever. TB can be treated with a course of antibiotics for six to nine months, and it is important to complete the full course of treatment to prevent drug-resistant strains of the bacteria from developing.

Prevention measures include vaccination with the BCG vaccine, which is recommended in countries with a high prevalence of TB, and practicing good hygiene such as covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and regularly washing your hands.