Essay on Types of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis has been known to have since time immemorial been a constant plaque to the mankind. ("Tuberculosis (TB)")Mycobacterium Tuberculosis was discovered by Robert Koch in the year 1882. The disease which in most cases is known to affect human or other vertebrates’ lungs is "multi-systematic" as it tends to change constantly in its way of presentations. This is due to its nature and ability to affect various organ system of the body. Tuberculosis is known to have a higher prevalence rates in children, the poverty-stricken members of the society, people suffering from the HIV virus among many others. Primary tuberculosis pneumonia cases are more prevalent to the young population and the elders. This is because older people and children have a weaker immune system and are hence more susceptible to this kind of tuberculosis which is known to cater for more of the reported cases of tuberculosis by persons whose immune system is weaker and suppressed, like people who are suffering from HIV/AIDS or those people who have been subjected to long-term effects of therapy such as therapies on corticosteroid.

(Cold et al. ) Tuberculosis Pleurisy This type of tuberculosis is mostly developed immediately after one is infected. It is characterized by the presence of a granuloma at the upper parts of the lungs which raptures into the known as outer area known as pleural area. The reason as to why the upper lung's lobes are affected is because it has a higher rate oxygen supply. The bacteria causing tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis thrives greatly. The symptoms that characterizes this type of tuberculosis are: weight loss, incessant coughs, fever, general body weakness and night sweats among others. Coughing may be characterize by presence of blood, a condition known as hemoptysis. It is contagious and its effects can spread to the pleural area leading to presence of pus in the pleural fluid.

Adrenal Tuberculosis iii. Renal tuberculosis iv. Tuberculosis Meningitis v. Tuberculosis Pericarditis vi. Tuberculosis Peritonitis vii. Lymph Node Disease Due to the presence of phagocytic cells that captures bacteria in the lymph nodes, there are high chances that the bacteria that causes tuberculosis are captured which may result to the enlargement of the lymph node which may results to the development of fistula to the skin from the lymph node. Tuberculosis Pericarditis It affects the pericardium, which is the membrane that surrounds the heart. This results in fluid filling the space between the heart and the pericardium membrane, affecting the functioning of the heart. How is tuberculosis spread? Tuberculosis has been widely known to be a highly infectious and contagious disease with various ways through which it can be spread.

Infected very tiny droplets that get released to the air by infected persons are the main causes of the widespread of the tuberculosis menace. Another major poverty-related issue that increases the probability of getting infected is the use of tobacco. (Dyer) Places of work and residential areas: Sometimes, where one lives or work increases their vulnerability and chances of getting infected by tuberculosis. If you come into contact regularly with infected people, there is a higher chance of one getting infected with it. Also, people who live or work care residential facilities such as prisons have higher chances of being infected by tuberculosis. This is due to the aspect that tuberculosis is always more contagious in areas whose ventilations are poor and are highly overcrowded.

Faced with a situation where one is indeed infected but is not yet showing symptoms doctors are always prompted to find the difference between transmitted to others. Major signs and symptoms of tuberculosis include incessant coughing that prolongs over weeks and can even be a month and more. ("Tuberculosis - Symptoms And Causes"). Another major sign and symptom are that the coughs of a tuberculosis positive person are characterized by the presence of blood. This is always due to the presence of infection in the lungs. ) The heart is also another major body organ that is affected by tuberculosis. With the onset of tuberculosis pericarditis which affects the heart membranes, heart efficiency is greatly affected. Renal tuberculosis which causes a condition known as asymptomatic pyuria also affects the reproductive organs and may result in epididymitis in men.

Adrenal tuberculosis affects the adrenal glands leading to a condition known as adrenal insufficiency. Other body organs that are affected by tuberculosis include the lymph node which is due to a condition known as the lymph node disease, the intestines and walls of the abdomen which is due to tuberculosis peritonitis, and the brain which is due to a type of tuberculosis known as tuberculosis meningitis which is known to infect the meninges and have adverse and devastating effects and may result in death. (Dyer) In conclusion, therefore, tuberculosis is a known highly infectious and contagious disease, and measures should be put in place to ensure that its prevalence rate is significantly reduced and in the long run have it eradicated altogether from the face of the world.