Mycobacterium Tuberculosis - can affect almost any organ
Infects 1/3 of the world’s population - most common infectious cause of death
Reactivation of the disease may occur later in life
Causes/Factors
- Inhalation of infected respiratroy droplets, bacilli lodge in alveoli & multiply
- Depending on host immune system - the infection with either become quiescent or progress/disseminainate
Symptoms
- 90% of primary infections are asymptomatic
- Chronic productive cough
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Fever
Signs
Diagnostic Tests
- Chest XR
- Sputum culture
- Interferon gamma release assays
- Tuberculin skin test
Management
- 2 antibiotics (isoniazid and rifampicin) for 6 months.
- and 2 other drugs that ihnc what they do
Combined with chemotherapy for several months?
Complications/red Flags
- Notifiable disease & contact tracing in place