Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a very serious chronic bacterial communicable infection that attacks the lungs and other parts of the body.
TYPES OF TUBERCULOSIS
1. PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS: This type of tuberculosis affects the lungs.
2. EXTRAPULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS: This type of tuberculosis affects the bones, kidneys, brain, abdomen, and reproductive organs.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Fever, cough, chest pain, night sweats, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, loss of appetite, coughing up blood in the later stages, chronic fatigue, emaciation.
TRANSMISSION
Transmission occurs via airborne droplets from the sputum of an infected person, consumption of infected cow's milk, and prolonged exposure to an active case may lead to infection.
CAUSATIVE AGENT
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tubercle bacillus).
INCUBATION PERIOD
4 to 12 weeks.
RESERVOIR
Humans and cows.
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
1. Immunization with the BCG vaccine.
2. Treatment of infected individuals.
3. Isolation.
4. Surveillance.
5. Sanitation and food hygiene.
6. Avoiding overcrowding.
7. Health education.
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