Tuberculosis typically affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air. The classic symptoms of active TB infection are a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Infection of other organs causes a wide range of symptoms.
One of the most dreaded diseases of the 19th century, TB was the eighth leading cause of death in children 1 to 4 years of age during the 1920s. As the general standard of living and medical care improved in the United States, the incidence of TB decreased. By the 1960s, it wasn't even in the top 10 causes of death among children of any age group.
However, TB is making a comeback in the United States today — particularly among the homeless, those in prison, and those rendered susceptible because of HIV infection. TB is often the first opportunistic infection to strike HIV-positive people and is now the leading cause of death of HIV-positive people. The HIV pandemic has been followed very closely by a TB pandemic.
Here is a simple & short video about what tuberculosis is all about! Enjoy :)
