tuberculosis
...of germs, there are many other disease causing bacteria know as “Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria” such as “Mycobacterium Leprae” which is the leprosy causing species belonging to this specific group. Mycobacteria are long, rod shaped cells that develop into long chains, many bacteria cells are long and slender like these and are known as “bacilli”. That is the reason why the tubercle-forming TB bacteria are often referred to as “Tubercle bacilli”. Bacteria cells have walls around them; the walls of Mycobacteria are very special. The Mycobacteria walls are made of a special lipid substance only found in Mycobacteria made of 60% “Mycolic acid”. Because of this lipid substance (Mycolic acid) the cells are hydrophobic or resistant to water. This is a very important property which once made it very difficult to stain MTB for identification; Lab. Technicians have to use a technique to distinguish these bacteria. Mycobacteria are aerobic, which means they like to grow in an environment with oxygen, they like a certain amount of carbon dioxide. Tuberculosis patients were once prescribed a sun tan for treatment based on the knowledge that Mycobacteria do not like UV rays from the sun because MTB is susceptible to inactivation from UV light. What is Tuberculosis? Two Kinds: Latent Tuberculosis & Active Tuberculosis There are two kinds of Tuberculosis, latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis, also known as TB disease. Latent tuberculosis means you have been in contact with the disease but you are not contagious, you do not feel sick or have any of the symptoms. If you do not get treated by a doctor you could develop active tuberculosis even if it’s been ten years since the original discovery of latent tuberculosis. Active tuberculosis, or TB disease, is highly contagious due to it’s location in the lungs (or throat). The bacteria can attack any part of your body but is usually (80%) found in the lungs. You will feel sick. Symptoms If you have latent tuberculosis you will not have any abnormal symptoms, a positive mantoux (skin) test will be the only evidence of infection. If you have active tuberculosis you could experience any or all of the following symptoms: A bad persistent cough (2 weeks +) Pain in the chest Coughing up blood or sputum Weakness and/or fatigue Weight loss No appetite Chills Fever Night sweats If you have been in contact with someone infected with active tuberculosis and/or are experiencing any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately. Diagnosis If a person is sick with any of the tuberculosis symptoms a full patient history will need to be done. Exposure to tuberculosis Previous tuberculosis and treatment Previous preventive therapy Previous tests for tuberculosis Illnesses associated with increased risk (diabetes, immuno-deficiency such as HIV/AIDS or drugs, alcoholism, malnutrition) Once a patient history is done, a Mantoux test (Tuberculin Skin Test) will be performed. Your doctor will insert the tuberculin syringe int...