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Epidemiology
Grand Canyon University
NRS-428VN-0502: Concepts in Community and Public Health
, 2
Epidemiology: Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a communicable bacterial disease that is caused by bacteria that affects
the lungs of the victim. Often, the bacteria is passed from an infected individual to others when
they cough or sneeze and the air droplets come in contact with a healthy individual. The main
cause of tuberculosis is the active bacteria which is transmitted through the air to healthy
individuals. Despite the disease being contagious, it's not guaranteed that the infection rate is
high. In most cases, those infected with tuberculosis are infected by close relatives of workmates.
About the causes, certain risk factors increase the chances of one contracting the disease. The
risk factor includes one having HIV/AIDS, weak immune system, substance abuse, traveling,
and the condition of one’s worksite (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). There
are two classes of TB based on whether the bacteria is active or inactive.
When the bacteria are inactive one is known to have latent TB and when the bacteria is
active one has Active TB. the symptoms of TB are seen when the bacteria is active. The leading
symptoms that one may experience include persistent coughing that goes on for around three
weeks or more, coughing up blood, having chest pains that come when one breathes or when
trying to engage in any physical activity. A major sign is significant but unintentional weight loss
where most patients end up losing mass which is attributed to the loss of appetite. Fatigue, high
fever, night sweats, and chills are also some of the primary symptoms that an individual with TB
may present.
When the TB bacteria affects other parts of the body such as the spine, head, or kidneys the
major symptoms may be different (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). When
affected in the head, one will mainly complain of severe and persistent headaches, while in the
Epidemiology
Grand Canyon University
NRS-428VN-0502: Concepts in Community and Public Health
, 2
Epidemiology: Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a communicable bacterial disease that is caused by bacteria that affects
the lungs of the victim. Often, the bacteria is passed from an infected individual to others when
they cough or sneeze and the air droplets come in contact with a healthy individual. The main
cause of tuberculosis is the active bacteria which is transmitted through the air to healthy
individuals. Despite the disease being contagious, it's not guaranteed that the infection rate is
high. In most cases, those infected with tuberculosis are infected by close relatives of workmates.
About the causes, certain risk factors increase the chances of one contracting the disease. The
risk factor includes one having HIV/AIDS, weak immune system, substance abuse, traveling,
and the condition of one’s worksite (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). There
are two classes of TB based on whether the bacteria is active or inactive.
When the bacteria are inactive one is known to have latent TB and when the bacteria is
active one has Active TB. the symptoms of TB are seen when the bacteria is active. The leading
symptoms that one may experience include persistent coughing that goes on for around three
weeks or more, coughing up blood, having chest pains that come when one breathes or when
trying to engage in any physical activity. A major sign is significant but unintentional weight loss
where most patients end up losing mass which is attributed to the loss of appetite. Fatigue, high
fever, night sweats, and chills are also some of the primary symptoms that an individual with TB
may present.
When the TB bacteria affects other parts of the body such as the spine, head, or kidneys the
major symptoms may be different (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). When
affected in the head, one will mainly complain of severe and persistent headaches, while in the
