Name: Tia
Unit 12: Diseases and Infections (Part C)
Tuberculosis (TB)
Abstract
The aim of this report is to evaluate and analyse the different treatment methods used to fight
specific infectious diseases. Research shows that there are a variety of different treatment
methods used to treat infectious diseases like tuberculosis. This report will mention some
information about tuberculosis, how its caused and how it can be treated along with mentions
of different types of medications used to treat other diseases that are infectious.
Introduction
This is an overview of the overall characteristics of the disease known as tuberculosis, how its
caused and how its treated. There are also mentions of various medications that treat different
diseases. This report also presents an analysis of the mode of action and why it is used to treat
tuberculosis and an in-depth description of the vaccine known to treat tuberculosis and a
sputum spear test. A detailed comparison of a vaccine and mode of action is also mentioned
near the end of the report along with a conclusion with contrasts and similarities.
1. Name of disease
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that is spread through by inhaling tiny droplets from
coughs or sneezes from an infected person. The symptoms of tuberculosis from an infected
person could be a persistent cough that lasts for more than three weeks. Coughs like this
overtime can become a threat to those who are not infected. To prevent spreading this cough,
the infected person must wear a mask which will minimize the tiny droplets from being
executed. Weight loss is also a common symptom because the appetite of an infected person
would be at its lowest due to constant coughing or fatigue as fatigue is also a symptom of
tuberculosis. Fever is also a symptom that can be fatal during the cold season since being in the
cold can increase the severity of tuberculosis.
, 2. Pathogen (what causes tuberculosis?)
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium which is
scientifically known as mycobacterium
tuberculosis which affects the lungs by invading
the lungs and could even make its way to the
throat if the infected person has been exposed
to this disease for a while. Figure 1 shows a
diagram of the immune system and how the immune system responds. The immune system can
attack bacteria depending on the strength of the immune system. If it cannot kill the infection,
it can prevent the bacteria from spreading to other vital organs by keeping it contained in the
lungs. For the people who are healthy, the immune system can fight off the bacteria with force,
however older people can be more at risk especially if they have survived cancer or people who
have a condition that weakens the immune system such as HIV. The reason being is because
chemotherapy wipes out the white blood cells which is known as the defence in the immune
system which means that this person can be exposed to any kind of disease or threat to the
body. If the immune system fails to kill the infection due to not being as healthy as required or
having no white blood cells, the infection can spread within the lungs and any other parts of the
body, and the symptoms will start to be more apparent after a few weeks or a month which will
then be known as “active tuberculosis” (active tb).
3. Treatment (how it is delivered)
There are diverse types of treatment processes depending on the escalation of tuberculosis
however the execution of these treatments is similar in a way. If a person is diagnosed with
active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), they will be prescribed to take isoniazid and rifampicin for
six months. These antibiotics can be taken by swallowing them down as tablets with a full glass
of water on an empty stomach regularly (the person must make sure that they digest for one or
two hours depending on the quantity of food that has been consumed before ingesting these
antibiotics). Pyrazinamide and ethambutol are also taken with the regular diagnosis of the first
two antibiotics for two months during the 6-month treatment period. Which are more
antibiotics that can also be taken to make sure that the TB infection is being killed. People who
are diagnosed with extrapulmonary TB must take the usual prescription of pulmonary TB along
with a corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory) which comes in tablets, syrups, and liquids. Multidrug-
resistant TB needs a much longer prescription of antibiotics which can last for 9 to 24 months,
depending on the severity of the multidrug-resistant TB. These antibiotics are to be taken
orally. Latent TB is diagnosed in a person who has been infected with tuberculosis bacteria but
does not have the symptoms of an active infection. The treatment of latent TB can be taken in
Unit 12: Diseases and Infections (Part C)
Tuberculosis (TB)
Abstract
The aim of this report is to evaluate and analyse the different treatment methods used to fight
specific infectious diseases. Research shows that there are a variety of different treatment
methods used to treat infectious diseases like tuberculosis. This report will mention some
information about tuberculosis, how its caused and how it can be treated along with mentions
of different types of medications used to treat other diseases that are infectious.
Introduction
This is an overview of the overall characteristics of the disease known as tuberculosis, how its
caused and how its treated. There are also mentions of various medications that treat different
diseases. This report also presents an analysis of the mode of action and why it is used to treat
tuberculosis and an in-depth description of the vaccine known to treat tuberculosis and a
sputum spear test. A detailed comparison of a vaccine and mode of action is also mentioned
near the end of the report along with a conclusion with contrasts and similarities.
1. Name of disease
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that is spread through by inhaling tiny droplets from
coughs or sneezes from an infected person. The symptoms of tuberculosis from an infected
person could be a persistent cough that lasts for more than three weeks. Coughs like this
overtime can become a threat to those who are not infected. To prevent spreading this cough,
the infected person must wear a mask which will minimize the tiny droplets from being
executed. Weight loss is also a common symptom because the appetite of an infected person
would be at its lowest due to constant coughing or fatigue as fatigue is also a symptom of
tuberculosis. Fever is also a symptom that can be fatal during the cold season since being in the
cold can increase the severity of tuberculosis.
, 2. Pathogen (what causes tuberculosis?)
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium which is
scientifically known as mycobacterium
tuberculosis which affects the lungs by invading
the lungs and could even make its way to the
throat if the infected person has been exposed
to this disease for a while. Figure 1 shows a
diagram of the immune system and how the immune system responds. The immune system can
attack bacteria depending on the strength of the immune system. If it cannot kill the infection,
it can prevent the bacteria from spreading to other vital organs by keeping it contained in the
lungs. For the people who are healthy, the immune system can fight off the bacteria with force,
however older people can be more at risk especially if they have survived cancer or people who
have a condition that weakens the immune system such as HIV. The reason being is because
chemotherapy wipes out the white blood cells which is known as the defence in the immune
system which means that this person can be exposed to any kind of disease or threat to the
body. If the immune system fails to kill the infection due to not being as healthy as required or
having no white blood cells, the infection can spread within the lungs and any other parts of the
body, and the symptoms will start to be more apparent after a few weeks or a month which will
then be known as “active tuberculosis” (active tb).
3. Treatment (how it is delivered)
There are diverse types of treatment processes depending on the escalation of tuberculosis
however the execution of these treatments is similar in a way. If a person is diagnosed with
active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), they will be prescribed to take isoniazid and rifampicin for
six months. These antibiotics can be taken by swallowing them down as tablets with a full glass
of water on an empty stomach regularly (the person must make sure that they digest for one or
two hours depending on the quantity of food that has been consumed before ingesting these
antibiotics). Pyrazinamide and ethambutol are also taken with the regular diagnosis of the first
two antibiotics for two months during the 6-month treatment period. Which are more
antibiotics that can also be taken to make sure that the TB infection is being killed. People who
are diagnosed with extrapulmonary TB must take the usual prescription of pulmonary TB along
with a corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory) which comes in tablets, syrups, and liquids. Multidrug-
resistant TB needs a much longer prescription of antibiotics which can last for 9 to 24 months,
depending on the severity of the multidrug-resistant TB. These antibiotics are to be taken
orally. Latent TB is diagnosed in a person who has been infected with tuberculosis bacteria but
does not have the symptoms of an active infection. The treatment of latent TB can be taken in
