Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis disease occurs when your immune system is unable to keep the bacterium from growing.

Spread

• Tuberculosis is spread through the air; the bacterium enters the air when an infected person speaks or coughs.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of tuberculosis include chest pain, coughing up blood, a cough that lasts for at least 3 weeks, fever, and fatigue.

Diagnosis

• Doctors test for tuberculosis with skin and blood tests; these tests show if a person has been infected with the bacteria. Doctors can take chest X-rays to see whether the infection has progressed to disease.

Treatment

• People who have tuberculosis are treated with several medications, including isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide.

Considerations

• If you have tuberculosis disease, you should stay home to prevent spreading the disease at work or school. Also, keep your mouth covered when you cough or sneeze to avoid spreading the bacteria.