Bacteria can also spread to other organs, including the kidney, brain, and spine.
Antibiotics are used fortuberculosis, though treatment is not always simple or effective.
Brief History
TB has been around for tens of thousands of years.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
It was often called “consumption” because of the dramatic weight loss it can cause.
Fresh air, good nutrition, and sunlight were thought to be helpful but didn’t always work.
In some cases, healthcare providers attempted to remove a diseased lung.
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From the 17th through the 19th centuries, it is believed that one in five people died from tuberculosis.
Still a leading killer worldwide, tuberculosis is less prevalent in the United States than it used to be.
It is possible to live with latent TB without ever developing the active form of the disease.
TB is a serious health problem in many countries, especially developing ones.
Those with weakened immune systems are especially at risk for TB.
Annual testing may be recommended if you are at continued risk of exposure.
Treatment
Tuberculosis is treated with antibiotics.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
It is very important to follow your healthcare providers instructions for TB treatment, even after symptoms subside.
The full course of antibiotics is necessary to kill all of the TB bacteria.
Until then, keep your distance from people with whom you have regular contact.
Remember to cough into a tissue and discard it in a sealed bag.
People with whom you have had contact should be tested for infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for tuberculosis.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment for TB disease.
American Lung Association.Treating and managing tuberculosis.
Centers for Disease Control.
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination.Tuberculosis (TB).
