Tuberculosis
Risk Factors, Causes, and Preventive Interventions
Lucy Kerr (1084899)
Tuberculosis (TB) is a mildly infectious disease primarily targeting the lungs with
symptoms ranging from mild to severe depending on the progression of the infection (Cedars
Sinai 2021). TB is caused by the transfer of bacteria thus the disease impacts every individual
differently, leaving certain individuals to be at higher risk of developing life-threatening
symptoms, given the extreme consequences of TB it is critical to put preventable measures in
place to avoid contraction (Cedars Sinai 2021). TB is relatively contagious due to the bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis which transfers through the air from a TB-positive patient’s mouth
via coughing and sneezing (NHS 2021). The bacterium must be directly inhaled by an individual
for a prolonged time to contract the infection which signifies why TB is not considered to be
highly contagious (NHS 2021). The disease has three stages: exposure, latent TB infection, and
TB disease. The initial exposure to TB is not considered a concern to the average person because
strong immune cells can destroy the bacteria before it progresses, an exposure patient will show
no symptoms and a negative skin test result (NHS 2021). A latent TB infection diagnosis is made
when Mycobacterium tuberculosis is present in the body giving a positive TB result however, the
bacteria remain inactive in the body resulting in no symptoms and is likely to remain inactive
throughout one’s lifetime (NHS 2021). Latent TB can advance to TB disease up to years after
initial infection when the bacteria is activated by a compromise in an individual’s immune
system or environment, a study showed 10% of latent TB cases develop into TB disease (NHS
2021). Mycobacterium tuberculosis is active in the body causing symptoms and should be of
Risk Factors, Causes, and Preventive Interventions
Lucy Kerr (1084899)
Tuberculosis (TB) is a mildly infectious disease primarily targeting the lungs with
symptoms ranging from mild to severe depending on the progression of the infection (Cedars
Sinai 2021). TB is caused by the transfer of bacteria thus the disease impacts every individual
differently, leaving certain individuals to be at higher risk of developing life-threatening
symptoms, given the extreme consequences of TB it is critical to put preventable measures in
place to avoid contraction (Cedars Sinai 2021). TB is relatively contagious due to the bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis which transfers through the air from a TB-positive patient’s mouth
via coughing and sneezing (NHS 2021). The bacterium must be directly inhaled by an individual
for a prolonged time to contract the infection which signifies why TB is not considered to be
highly contagious (NHS 2021). The disease has three stages: exposure, latent TB infection, and
TB disease. The initial exposure to TB is not considered a concern to the average person because
strong immune cells can destroy the bacteria before it progresses, an exposure patient will show
no symptoms and a negative skin test result (NHS 2021). A latent TB infection diagnosis is made
when Mycobacterium tuberculosis is present in the body giving a positive TB result however, the
bacteria remain inactive in the body resulting in no symptoms and is likely to remain inactive
throughout one’s lifetime (NHS 2021). Latent TB can advance to TB disease up to years after
initial infection when the bacteria is activated by a compromise in an individual’s immune
system or environment, a study showed 10% of latent TB cases develop into TB disease (NHS
2021). Mycobacterium tuberculosis is active in the body causing symptoms and should be of
