How to Prevent Spinal Tuberculosis

Spinal tuberculosis, an infection of the spine by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium, is one of the oldest known human diseases and is still common in developing countries. Spinal tuberculosis can cause permanent neurological damage and severe deformities but can be controlled. The initial infection is usually in the lungs and spreads to the spine only 1 to 2 percent of the time. The following steps will show how to prevent spinal tuberculosis.

Instructions

• 1

  Reduce the over-crowded and unsanitary conditions in which many people live. This is the most significant means of reducing the spread of spinal tuberculosis.

• 2

  Use ultraviolet light as an antibacterial agent in hospital settings.

• 3

  Administer the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine against tuberculosis. The BCG vaccine is derived from a species of mycobacterium that infects cattle but provokes an immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, it is more effective in some parts of the population than others.

• 4

  Provide isoniazid every 6 to 12 months for people who are at high risk for exposure to tuberculosis. This should include health care providers who work with tuberculosis patients, HIV patients, intravenous drug users, anyone who has had positive purified protein derivative tests with abnormal chest X-rays and patients with depressed immune systems.

• 5

  Evaluate the risks and benefits of isoniazid carefully. It carries the risk of side effects such as changes in mood and behavior, liver inflammation and nerve damage. Isoniazid seems to be most beneficial to persons under the age of 25.