300905 Study Guide - Final Guide: Mantoux Test, Latent Tuberculosis, Tuberculin

• School: UWS
• Department: University of Western Sydney
• Course: 300905
• Professor: anonymous

Document Summary

Tuberculosis tb is an infectious disease usually caused by. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections do not have symptoms, in which case it is known as latent tuberculosis. About 10% of latent infections progress to active disease which, if left untreated, kills about half of those affected. The classic symptoms of active tb are a chronic cough with blood- containing mucus, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. It was historically called consumption due to the weight loss. infection of other organs can cause a wide range of symptoms. Tuberculosis is spread through the air when people who have active tb in their lungs cough, spit, speak, or sneeze. People with latent tb do not spread the disease. Active infection occurs more often in people with hiv/aids and in those who smoke. Diagnosis of active tb is based on chest x-rays, as well as microscopic examination and culture of body fluids.