D2I2.
infection⚑ High burden in India

Tuberculosis

, also known colloquially as the "white death", or historically as consumption, is a contagious disease usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) . Tuberculosis initially infects the lungs, but it can also spread to other parts of the body. Most show no symptoms, in which case it is known as inactive or latent tuberculosis. A small proportion of latent infections progress to active disease that, if left untreated, can be fatal. Typical symptoms of active TB are cough with blood-containing mucus, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. of other organs can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

How common · TB incidence (per 100,000 per year)
187.0 /100k (2024)
India
131.0 /100k (2024)
World
Source: WHO Global Health Observatory

Symptoms — what it feels like

  • · cough, fever, cough with bloody mucus, weight loss. Latent TB is

Causes — why it happens

  • ·Mycobacterium

How it's found

  • ·CXR, microbial , TB skin test, interferon gamma release assay

Prevention

  • · those at high risk, treatment of those infected, vaccination with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)

Treatment

  • ·
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.