Tuberculosis
(TB) is a bacterial infection caused by a germ called Mycobacterium
tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also
damage other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a
person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes or talks. If you
have been exposed, you should go to your doctor for tests. You are more
likely to get TB if you have a weak immune system.
Symptoms of TB in the lungs may include
A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
Weight loss
Coughing up blood or mucus
Weakness or fatigue
Fever and chills
Night sweats
If not treated properly, TB can be deadly. You can usually cure active
TB by taking several medicines for a long period of time. People with
latent TB can take medicine so that they do not develop active TB.
In the blue image below, pink rod like structures are the tubercle
bacilli; first isolated by
Robert Koch.