Tuberculosis (TB)

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Tuberculosis (TB) or Tubercle Bacillus has infected nearly one third of the world's population. Many people infected with tuberculosis never progress to the active or virulent tuberculosis disease which has a mortality rate of 50%. There are many people infected with the latent Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis deaths are high in people who never receive treatment for the disease. TB affects mainly the lungs but can affect other parts of the body. The most dangerous forms of tuberculosis are drug resistant and occur in large numbers with people infected with HIV. More than 2 million people each year die from TB worldwide.

How People Become Infected with Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis is spread by small aerosol droplets when a person infected with tuberculosis coughs or sneezes. Only people with the avtive form of Tuberculosis can spread TB. High risk areas include low income geographical locations including health care facilities in these areas. High risk groups for tuberculosis include people infected with HIV, people who inject illicit drugs, health care workers in low income countries, prostitutes, and children exposed to those groups.

Prevention of Tuberculosis (TB)

Unfortunately if you are traveling there are no real ways to be 100% protected from tuberculosis. The way to prevent getting TB is stay away from high risk groups who may be infected with TB. This is difficult especially when you are traveling and require medical attention. This is why it is necessary to research the area you traveling to for the best medical facilities and to purchase travel medical insurance that has a medical evacuation rider. Depending on the seriousness of the medical problem this will minimize your stay in a health care facility in a poorer country where TB is widespread. Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth along with glasses will also increase your protection from getting TB but this is impractical in many cases. After all, when traveling for leisure the last thing you want to do is worry about catching tuberculosis or any other disease for that matter. It all falls into these categories - Travel Related Diseases Tuberculosis TB - Travel Disease Awareness - Disease Risk and Travel

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People living with TB
2005