Tuberculosis By: Megan and KC

Tuberculosis There are 2 phases: latent TB and active TB. Latent TB is when it first enters the body and isn’t harmful, you don’t even know you have it. It turns active (can be yrs.) when your immune system can’t stop the bacteria from growing. It is only contagious if you have active TB. –It is spread through the air once it reaches your lungs.

Causative Agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Slender rod Obligate aerobe –What does this mean? Slow growing (20 hrs.) Grow in clumps The growth of this bacteria appears mold-like so what could the prefix myco- suggest?

Symptoms Bad cough (3wks. Or longer) Pain in chest Coughing up blood Weakness or fatigue Weight loss no appetite Chills Fever/night sweats

Mantoux Test Mantoux Test: injecting a small amount of fluid (tuberculin) into the skin in the lower part of the arm. After hrs, the patient must return so a physician can look for a reaction to the test.

Diagnosis The Mantoux Test is negative if there is no bump or a very small bump on the skin where the fluid was injected. The test is positive if there is a larger bump on the skin. You will then be given a chest x-ray. Further testing is needed after a positive skin test

Treatment Minimum of 6 mos. of antibiotic treatment –Why do you think treatment takes this long? 1 st antibiotic introduced in streptomycin –Still in use but not primary treatment Most powerful TB drugs: isoniazid and rifampin Vaccines: –BCG ( Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin)- Only recommended for children at high risk who have a negative skin test

Sources heets/tst.html#1http:// heets/tst.html#1 Text book