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You may not be aware of it, but tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious cause of death in the world. It's also one of the mostiasis (in which bacteria take over a host's internal organs), and one that you can battle with essential oils. It's estimated that there are between 66 million and 77 million people worldwide who have active TB. 

This number is expected to overtake HIV/AIDS as the No. 1 cause of death globally in just a few years time. Even though treatment has improved greatly in recent decades, TB remains an extremely common disease; you're likely among friends who have this bacteria in your basement or on your body. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help you fight off this potentially life-threatening infection, and we're going to discuss all of them here as you Journey with me





### What is tuberculosis?


Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that is spread by contact with the sputum (breathing out of a person's lungs) or other fluids from an infected person. While there are many bacteria that can cause tuberculosis, the tubercle bacillus (TB) is the most common. The tubercle bacillus is a broad-leaved, Gram-positive bacteria that can cause infection in the lungs, skin, bones, and other organs of the body. 


The sputum (breathing out of the person's lungs) is the source of the disease. Spreading of the bacillus occurs in the air by means of tubercles, which are then inhaled by another person who has developed the infection. 


It is important to note that many people who have been in close contact with someone who is infected with tuberculosis do not develop the disease. This is called active TB, and it is treated with a course of drugs that are designed to stop the TB bacillus from multiplying in the body.


Tuberculosis was first described by German physician Josef Mey in 1840. Like many diseases, the reasons why tuberculosis spreads are not fully understood. Genetic factors, such as the fact that many people carry a gene that code for TB enzymes, may play a role in this. The disease is also influenced by the person's age, his or her health, the environment (including air and water pollution), and dietary choices. 


There is an increased risk of getting tuberculosis when someone is: - Old (over 5 years old but less than 10 years old) - Immune-compromised (AIDS, cancer, hypothermia) - Undergoing chemotherapy (for example, for bowel, liver, or breast cancer) - Being treated for an STD (sexually transmitted disease) - Being treated for anemia



### What is TB?


TB is a bacteria that is spread through the air by means of droplets formed when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes. Humans are most commonly exposed to TB when we're in close contact with animals—for example, when we've got fleas, lice, or rodents living in our houses. People can also get TB when they're exposed to infected animals in the wild, such as when a person is present at a tick-and- rodents' nest where the rodents are living. Tuberculosis is a difficult bacterial infection to treat. 


The bacterium is very resilient, and it often manages to survive even in the face of strong medications. There is exciting news, though: a new medication called covalent protein inhibitor (CPI) has been developed that is effective against most forms of tuberculosis.



TB is spread through the air by means of droplets, which are tiny pieces of matter that have a force greater than the electromagnetism from which they were formed. These droplets are formed when bacteria in the respiratory tract of an infected person take over the lungs cells of an animal host and grow there. 


The bacteria then spread to other parts of the body and even out into the surrounding air. In order to fully understand how tuberculosis works, we have to turn to the bacteria itself. TB bacteria are rod-shaped, Gram-negative bacteria with a thick, rigid cell wall that makes up about 10% of the total weight of the bacillus. The bacteria's surface is covered in tiny projections called cilia that help it to swim in the blood and immune-compromised tissues. 


The bacteria uses this movement to grab nutrients and harmless molecules from the air and fix them into compounds called polymers. This process is called translocation. Once a polymer has been formed inside the bacteria, it is called a polysaccharide, and it is the polysaccharides found in organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis that cause disease.



### Should You Get a Tuberculosis Test?


Depending on your specific circumstances, you may not need to get a TB test. If you've had a recent ANC or respiratory tract infection, you may not need to worry about tuberculosis. Likewise, if you're healthy—free of any major illnesses—and have been in close contact with someone who is infected, you may want to consider getting a TB test. People who are under 18 years old, acquire TB while in adulthood, or are over 60 years old are at a greater risk of developing the disease.


 With these conditions in mind, it's important to consider how frequently you should have a tuberculosis test. People who should have a TB test are: - Those who have been in contact with an infected person - Those who work or live in close proximity to someone who has the disease - People who travel to a zone where tuberculosis is epidemic



### Is There Treatment For Tuberculosis?


Yes! The first and foremost treatment for tuberculosis is antibacterial drugs. These are given in a short course of 3-6 months to stop the TB bacillus from growing. Beyond that, many people find that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is helpful. PrEP is a combination of medications that prevent HIV/AIDS and other diseases caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDs).

Tuberculosis is a potentially life-threatening infection that can be very serious for people with compromised immune systems. There is effective treatment for most forms of the disease, but there is no cure. Cleaning the house, washing your hands, and wearing gloves when handling animals are all important steps in preventing TB. 


Additionally, you should get vaccinated against TB. People who are at an increased risk of developing TB may consider getting a tuberculosis test. This can help doctors monitor a person's health and provide information about ways to prevent infection.




(1).  https://www.britannica.com/science/tuberculosis


(2). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/tuberculosis-tb


(3). https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/general/tb.htm

(4).https://www.everydayhealth.com/tuberculosis/guide/

(5). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tuberculosis-tb/