The Mode Of Transmission And Development Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Question
Understand the mode of transmission and development of pulmonary tuberculosis.
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Step 1/3
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Explanation:
TB primarily affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.
Step 2/3
Transmission
Introduction:
Pulmonary tuberculosis is primarily spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. When a person with TB does any of these activities, they release droplets containing the bacteria that can remain suspended in the air for several hours.
Airborne Transmission:
Explanation:
Inhalation of these airborne droplets containing M. tuberculosis bacteria is the most common mode of transmission of pulmonary TB. The bacteria can enter the lungs and infect the individual if they are near the infected person.
Sources of TB Infection:
Explanation:
People with active TB in their lungs are the main source of TB infection. However, TB can also be spread by people with TB infection in other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.
Risk Factors for TB Transmission:
Explanation:
Some factors that increase the risk of TB transmission include spending time in crowded environments, having a weakened immune system, and being in close contact with someone who has active TB disease.
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Development:
Introduction:
Once the M. tuberculosis bacteria enter the lungs, they can cause inflammation and damage to the lung tissue. The body’s immune system tries to fight the infection, but in some cases, the bacteria can continue to multiply and cause disease.
Entry of M. tuberculosis in Lungs:
Explanation:
TB bacteria enter the lungs when an infected person inhales them through the air. The bacteria can then reach the alveoli, which are the tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
Immune System Response:
Explanation:
Once the TB bacteria enter the lungs, the immune system responds by sending white blood cells to the site of the infection. These cells try to engulf and kill the bacteria, but in some cases, the bacteria can survive and multiply.
Formation of Granulomas:
Explanation:
The immune system’s response can lead to the formation of small, round nodules called granulomas around the TB bacteria. These granulomas can help to contain the infection, but they can also cause damage to the lung tissue.
Active TB Disease:
Explanation:
If the immune system is unable to contain the infection, the bacteria can continue to multiply and spread throughout the lungs and to other parts of the body. This can lead to the development of active TB disease, which can cause symptoms such as coughing, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
Latent TB Infection:
Explanation:
In some cases, the immune system can contain the infection, and the TB bacteria become dormant. This is called latent TB infection. People with latent TB infection do not have symptoms and are not contagious, but the bacteria can become active in the future if the immune system becomes weakened.
Reactivation of TB Infection:
Explanation:
If the bacteria become active again, the individual can develop active TB disease. This can happen if the immune system becomes weakened due to factors such as stress, malnutrition, or immunosuppression. People with HIV are particularly vulnerable to developing active TB disease.
Final answer
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) primarily spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings.
- When a person with TB does any of these activities, they release droplets containing the bacteria that can remain suspended in the air for several hours.
- Inhalation of these airborne droplets containing M. tuberculosis bacteria is the most common mode of transmission of pulmonary TB.
- The bacteria can enter the lungs and infect the individual if they are near the infected person.
Once the M. tuberculosis bacteria enter the lungs, they can cause inflammation and damage to the lung tissue.
- The body’s immune system tries to fight the infection, but in some cases, the bacteria can continue to multiply and cause disease.
- If the bacteria become active again, the individual can develop active TB disease.
- This can happen if the immune system becomes weakened due to factors such as stress, malnutrition, or immunosuppression.
- People with HIV are particularly vulnerable to developing active TB disease. The Mode Of Transmission And Development Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis