6.3 Tuberculosis

?
  • Created by: Eva
  • Created on: 10-01-13 20:35
View mindmap
  • Tuberculosis
    • Causes
      • Mycobacterium tuberculosis/ Mysobacterium bovis
      • Infected droplets of mucus e.g. coughing, spitting, sneezing
      • High populations, people who work near cows, children, elderly and malnourished /immunodeficiency at risk
      • Destroys lung tissue and weakens immune system
      • Pulmonary or Extrapulmopnary
    • Symptoms
      • Cough with bloody sputum - evidence of damage to lungs
      • Fatigue or shortness of breath (KILLS) due to lung tissue damage. Reduces efficiency of oxygenating blood
      • High temp / feeling ill: non specific response fever slows down bacteria but reduces body functions
      • Weight loss / no appetite (KILLS) mechanisms that control hunger not prioritised, trying to fight infection
      • Night sweats due to fever
    • Treatment
      • It kills you because vital organs break down due to insufficient supply of oxygen due to damaged lungs
        • Also secondary infections due to weakened immune system
      • X-rays/body samples diagnose it
      • BCG vaccine for those at risk but limited for fear of resistance
      • Multiple antibiotics for up to 18 month.
      • Better health, lifestyle, working conditions to prevent development/ spread
    • How it reacts with the immune system
      • When exposed you either kill bacteria, fail to kill it but contain it in a tubercle (latent) or it spreads (active)
      • Latent TB is primary infection. Tubercle with macrophages may not kill all which grow and become active when you are malnourished

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Biology resources:

See all Biology resources »See all Health, illness and disease resources »