What is TB?

TB information from trusted sources:

TB

An infectious disease caused by the tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and characterized pathologically by inflammatory infiltrations, formation of tubercles, caseation, necrosis, abscesses, fibrosis, and calcification. It most commonly affects the respiratory system but other parts of the body such as gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, bones, joints, nervous system, lymph nodes, and skin may become infected. Fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals (esp. cattle) are subject to the disease. Three types of tubercle bacillus exist, namely, human, bovine, and avian. Man may become infected by any of the three types but in the U.S.A., the human type predominates. Infection usually is acquired from contact with an infected person or an infected cow or trough drinking contaminated milk. Tuberculosis may occur in an acute generalized form (miliary tuberculosis) or in a chronic localized form. In man, the primary infection usually consists of a localized lesion and regional adenitis, these constituting the primary complex. From this state, lesions may heal by fibrosis and calcification and the disease exist in an arrested or inactive stage. Reactivation or exacerbation of the disease or reinfection gives rise to the chronic progressive form. Many varieties of Mycobacteria that previously were thought to be nonpathogenic for man have been found to cause chronic progressive pulmonary disease closely resembling pulmonary tuberculosis. These organisms have been termed anonymous or atypical Mycobacteria. They have been classified into four groups: photochromogens, scotochromogens, nonphotochromagens, and rapid growers.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that primarily affects your lungs. Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air. Most people who become infected with the bacteria that cause tuberculosis don't develop symptoms of the disease.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection. It is spread by inhaling tiny droplets of saliva from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that most frequently affects the lungs. In addition, TB involves other areas of the body, such as the lymph nodes, genitourinary tract, bones, joints, the membranes covering the brain (meninges), and the membranes covering the digestive organs (peritoneum).

Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the organism that is the causative agent for tuberculosis (TB). There are other "atypical" mycobacteria such as M. kansasii ...

Tuberculosis (Pulmonary Tuberculosis)-Symptoms, How It's Spread, Types

Apr 23, 2009 ... What is tuberculosis? Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that is most often found in the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can spread to ...