Tuberculosis: What to Know About the Recent Outbreak, Symptoms and Treatment
Last year, Kansas has been at the center of an ongoing tuberculosis outbreak. There are about 67 active cases Confirm from then on In early 2025, nearly 400 people were being monitored for exposure. exist Michigan High School.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Reported 9,633 In 2023, the number of tuberculosis cases in the United States increased by 15.6% from 2022. To take a look, this is the incidence rate of 2.9 cases per 100,000 people. Tuberculosis is common in the United States, but it can be both prevented and cured.
Early testing and treatment programs help limit further disease transmission in the United States. However, we have seen the gradual recovery of numbers over the past few years, probably partly due to lower health care services during this period. The coronavirus pandemic.
The Kansas outbreak is more prominent than usual, although that doesn’t mean it’s the cause of panic. Despite being spread in the air, tuberculosis does not contract easily because it spreads only when a person has symptoms. Read on to learn all the information you need about tuberculosis, including what it means, how it spreads, and how it is treated.
For more information on staying healthy, see which one is at home Co-copy and flu test You should use and our tips and tricks Resolve cold and flu seasons.
What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis or tuberculosis is a curable infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. However, it may affect other tissues and organs, which is called Extrapulmonary tuberculosis. This is a common disease that is on the rise. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2023, the surrounding 1.25 million people died From the disease. 95% of tuberculosis-related deaths occur in developing countries.
Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosisWhen an infected person speaks, laughs, sneezes or coughs, a bacteria spreads in the air. This is an air disease, although it does not spread easily. You must be in close contact with people with tuberculosis for a long time. Most people get it from their families.
The tricky thing about tuberculosis is that not everyone is infected. This is no activity or Potential tuberculosis. Inactive bacteria remain in the body and may be active later, especially if the immune system is weak.
You cannot predict when or whether you are active. Some people suffer from potential tuberculosis throughout their lives without developing mature tuberculosis. Unlike other infectious diseases Coronavirus disease, You cannot spread tuberculosis bacteria unless it is active in the body and is suffering from symptoms.
This does not mean that potential tuberculosis is not important. In the United States 80% active Tuberculosis has never been treated for potential development of tuberculosis. This is why even if you don’t show symptoms, you must be aware of potential exposure and seek treatment.
Signs and symptoms
Anyone can have tuberculosis. However, only those with active infections will show symptoms. According to the CDC, increase your conditions Tuberculosis risk includes But it’s not limited to diabetes, weakened immune system, tobacco use and abuse of alcohol. In addition, tuberculosis is The main cause of death For those with HIV.
- fatigue
- Chest pain
- Fever, chills and night sweats
- Cough or mucus
- Cough lasts for at least 3 weeks
- Deficiency in appetite and weight loss
If you have any symptoms or people you have been in contact with, talk to your doctor immediately to develop a treatment plan. have Two main tests of TB: Skin examination and blood test. Other tests can also be used, such as chest X-rays or test a sample of mucus you cough.
I mentioned that active and potential TB is curable, although like other bacterial infections, it is not as simple as taking some antibiotics. Depending on the treatment plan, the combination of drugs used to treat tuberculosis will continue Four, six or nine months. If you can’t see the treatment, it can return.
What does this mean to you
Your risk of developing tuberculosis is low regardless of outbreak, unless you have very close contact with someone with active symptoms. Even if you Respiration with tuberculosisyou cannot immediately spread it to anyone else. Transmission is limited to people with active symptoms, not potential tuberculosis.
Diseases such as a weakened immune system or diabetes can increase your risk. However, this is not something that ordinary people often worry about in their daily lives Practice good hygiene And there is one A healthy immune system. It’s something that simply realizes.
Those with the highest risk of TB:
- Frequently travel to people whose tuberculosis is common, such as Asia, Africa and Latin America.
- Those who live or work in places where they can be spread, such as hospitals, homeless shelters, nursing homes, or correctional facilities.
- Anyone who spends it with someone active in tuberculosis.
I know what you might be thinking: It’s flu season and everyone is sick. Not to mention, Covid is still a persistent presence and has many symptoms that overlap with tuberculosis. They all attack the lungs. How can I be sure I don’t have tuberculosis?
Differences between Co-proof and TB:
- A common symptom is loss of taste or smell.
- Tuberculosis Longer incubation periodthe onset of symptoms is slower.
- With tuberculosis, the cough will last for more than three weeks and often contains mucus or blood.
If you are still unsure, consider whether you have spent some time experiencing symptoms. One of the most critical markers is the duration of the cough. Because this is a lung infection, one of the main warning signs of tuberculosis is a persistent cough that lasts three or more. It’s always worth visiting your doctor who can test your flu, co-certification and tuberculosis.
If you think you’ve been exposed, be sure to test it. The underlying tuberculosis may not actively spread symptoms, although it can later develop into active TB if untreated.
An effective way Stop the spread Tuberculosis:
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Natural light is allowed. UV light can kill tuberculosis bacteria.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
- If you are in contact with someone with tuberculosis, wear a protective mask.
- Stay in the ventilation area. Tuberculosis bacteria can stay in the air for several hours without proper ventilation.
