Tuberculosis Essay, Research Paper

The first evidence of this very contagious illness was found in a young man that died in 4,000 B.C. Tuberculosis also dates back to the mummies of Egypt. Little did any of these people know, the disease would have a huge effect in the modern world.

Between the seventeenth and nineteenth century, a plague the white plague hit Europe. Later, the disease was carried on to America where it swept the country. Many people thought it was brought by European settlers. This was not the case, however, in Tuberculosis. Ninety-five percent of the eight million people with Tuberculosis lived in developing cultures such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Tuberculosis is caused by a species of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually attacks the lungs. You can get it by breathing in infected droplets from people with active TB who have coughed, sneezed, or laughed. Most people who are diagnosed do not develop active TB; that is they do not become sick. Possible symptoms are fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, a low fever, sweating at night, joint pain, and a cough that starts out dry and then produces mucus.

There were several people who helped with the treatment of TB. Hermann Brehmer invented the sanatorium cure . William Konrad von Rontgen discovered the measuring unit, which bears his name. Also, in 1924 a vaccine called the BCG (Bacillus Callmette V Guerin) Vaccine for people exposed to TB was developed by the French bacteriologists Albert Leon Calmette and Alphonse F.M. Geurin.

But what will happen to the victims that have survived? What about their families? Many victims will boast about their near death experience. Some will live their lives to the fullest. Their families will just be grateful they are o.k. People who have been cured may still have inactive TB. All they know is that their lives will never be the same after suffering from this terrible disease.

There have been recent minor outbreaks of Tuberculosis. That is why we still have TB tests. Scientists predict that we will have another outbreak but not nearly as large. At least we know that we will be able to keep it under control!

Interesting Facts:

TB dates back to the Stone Age

Nearly 80% of the people who have TB in Africa also have AIDS

Usually poor villages have outbreakes

Sometimes there are no symptoms of TB

Over 22,000 cases are reported each year in the United States