Question

In your own words

Tuberculosis

-main causative organism

-what happens with this infection?

-does a positive TB test mean you necessarily have active disease?

-how is it transmitted?

-note the infection can spread to other organs besides the lungs

-note the treatment for this disorder

List the more common diagnostic methods used for respiratory disorders.

Answer 1

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease generally caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Causative organism: The causative agent for TB is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a tubercle bacillus, which belongs to a group of closely related organisms within the M tuberculosis complex — including M africanum, M bovis, and M microti.

Infection: TB bacteria generally grow in the lungs and can cause symptoms such as a bad cough lasting 3 weeks or longer, chest pain, and coughing up blood or sputum (deep in the lungs).

When a person becomes active with TB disease, it means that TB bacteria multiply and attack the lung(s) or other parts of the body.

A positive test result means a person may have a tuberculosis infection, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they have active tuberculosis because it is a bacterial infection that can affect any part of the body, but most often it affects the lungs.

Transmission:TB bacteria are transmitted from one person to another through the air. When a person with TB lung disease or throat coughs, speaks or sings, the TB bacteria are put into the air. In these bacteria, people nearby may breathe and become infected.

TB mainly affects the lungs, but it may also affect other parts of the body, like the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. A person who has TB can die if he or she does not receive treatment.

Treatment: Isoniazid INH is the most common treatment for active TB in combination with three other drugs — rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol.

If a person has an active TB disease, he or she should be treated with a combination of antibacterial drugs for a duration of 6 to 12 months.

Diagnostic methods used for respiratory disorders:

Doctors can test for lung disorders by measuring the capacity of the lungs to hold and move air and to absorb oxygen. These tests called pulmonary function tests, which are of the greatest help in determining the general type of lung disorder and the severity.

Other tests, including additional chest imaging, bronchoscopy, and thoracoscopy, enable doctors to determine the particular cause of a lung disorder.