Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attacks the lungs but can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another by coughing, sneezing, speaking, laughing, spitting, or singing from someone infected with the disease. When a person breathes in the bacteria, it can settle in the lungs, begin to grow, and spread through blood to other parts of the body.
Signs and symptoms of active TB include:
- Coughing that lasts three or more weeks
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Loss of appetite
In some countries, children receive an anti-TB vaccination — the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine — as part of a regular immunization program. However, experts in the U.S. do not recommend BCG inoculation for most people unless they have a high risk of TB. Dozens of new TB vaccines are in various stages of development and testing. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment please contact us at secondopinions.com.
