Tuberculosis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Tuberculosis - Essay Example But it is also to be remembered that not all types of tuberculosis are infectious. It is only the TB of lungs which spreads like common cold to other people. Couple of decades ago, TB was considered a dreaded disease, as there was no cure for it, but now TB is a fully curable, provided it can be detected in time. The modern lifestyle and the manner in which we treat our environment are stated to be the biggest reasons for the emergence of newer cases of Tuberculosis. The latest WHO report1 on the disease indicates that, there were an estimated 9.2 million new cases of TB in 2006. The danger of infection keeps growing if the disease is left untreated. The micro-bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis is known as the most prominent as the one causing the disease. Starting from lungs, gradually the disease can spread even to the central nervous system, if it remains untreated for longer period. Some other micro-bacteria causing the disease include; Mycobacterium microti, Mycobacterium canetti, Mycobacterium africanum and Mycobacterium bovis. Weaker immunity system helps in easier entry of the germs inside the human body. Prolonged coughing, coughing up blood, chest pain, fever are some of the common symptoms of the disease, but it has also been found that sometimes, the immune systems, 'walls-off' the TB bacilli, which can help the bacteria to lie dormant for years. In such cases the person need to initiate medication for preventing the TB from becoming active. And if the infected person is not treated for longer periods, the chances of spreading disease to a healthy person increase. In fact such prolongation can also result in other complications. Therefore it is advised that a person must consult the doctor, if following symptoms are found; A bad cough lasting for about 3 weeks or longer The person suffers from undue and unintended weight losses Coughing up continues for longer period or blood oozes out during coughing. Persons suffers from weakness or fatigue If there is prolonged fever. There are symptoms of Night sweats White blood cells, though accounting for less than 1 percent of total blood volume, play a key role in strengthening the immune system of our body. The blood comprises of six kinds of white blood cells namely: Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Monocytes, Macrophages, and Lymphocytes. Each of them has a specific role in strengthening the defence mechanism of the human body. Monocytes is the most important WBC types playing a leading role in preventing the Tuberculosis (Nagel and Frey, 2007). With the help of a process called phagocytosis, Monocytes and Macrophages help in protecting the body by engulfing and digesting the bacteria, dead cells or other similar foreign matter. TB can in general be divided into primary and secondary TB. Primary Tuberculosis occurs in previously unexposed, un-sensitized people and such patients are in the danger of developing latent infection. On the other hand secondary TB comes up in patients who have been infected with the germs earlier and previous ly sensitized. Even years after the infection, such a stage might develop, if due care is not taken by the individual. If the initial symptoms are ignored and once the Tuberculosis becomes active, it tends to become incurable and leads to certain death of the individual. Tuberculosis is stated to