TB (Tuberculosis)

TB

Causes

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a one of two types of bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis or mycobacterium bovis.

Anyone can catch TB, but people who are particularly at risk include:

·         people living in environments where the level of existing TB infection is higher than normal

·         people with health conditions (such as HIV) or whose circumstances mean they are less able to fight off a TB infection

The known risk factors for a TB infection include:

·         being in close contact with someone who is infected

·         having lived in, travelled to or had visitors from parts of the world where TB is common

·         having an immune system that has been weakened by any  medical conditions or long term medication

·         being very young or very old - the immune systems of people who are young or elderly tend to be weaker than those of healthy adults

·         being in poor health or having a poor diet due to lifestyle and behavioural problems,

·         living in poor or crowded housing conditions, such as remand…