Is Tuberculosis a Bloodborne Pathogen
Did you know that tuberculosis is one of the oldest known diseases worldwide? Physical evidence reaches as far back as 4,000 years in Egyptian mummies, and the illness was a leading cause of death in Europe and North America for centuries. Despite medical breakthroughs like the discovery of the TB bacterium and the invention of antibiotics, which have led to a dramatic reduction in fatalities, tuberculosis still causes more than 1 million deaths annually. Therefore, it remains one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. This article explains what tuberculosis is, whether it’s a bloodborne pathogen and outlines its treatment methods.
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease characterized by symptoms like a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, fever, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss. Although it’s most often linked to the lungs, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can in rare cases spread to other parts of the body. These may include lymph nodes, pleura, bones, joints, or kidneys.
Tuberculosis can either be classified as latent or active. In latent tuberculosis, bacteria are present in the body but inactive. While an estimated quarter of the population is affected by this non-contagious form of TB, only around 5-10% of them develop symptoms and may spread the disease to others. When encountering an infected person, those with weakened immune systems, such as HIV patients, are most at risk. Other vulnerable groups include individuals living in crowded conditions and those in regions with high rates of tuberculosis.
Is Tuberculosis a Bloodborne Pathogen?
The question of whether tuberculosis is bloodborne or airborne is a common one. Pathogens are germs that can cause illness, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Several bloodborne pathogens spread through contact with infected blood, which are highly infectious and can even be fatal, like HIV, hepatitis B, and C. Since tuberculosis, like these bloodborne infections, is a serious infectious disease that can affect multiple organs, it's easy to assume that I might also be bloodborne. However, this is not the case; its main mode of transmission is when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Therefore, prevention measures include proper ventilation, wearing masks, and avoiding crowds in regions with high infection rates.
How to Treat Tuberculosis?
Despite being among the most fatal infections worldwide, luckily, tuberculosis can be cured completely, with an estimated treatment length of around 6-9 months if symptoms are present. Active tuberculosis is commonly treated using a combination of antibiotics, which may include rifampicin and ethambutol. While latent TB is addressed similarly, usually fewer drugs are needed to cure the infection and prevent it from becoming active and showing symptoms.
The reason for combining different antibiotics when treating tuberculosis is to heighten the effectiveness of the treatment and prevent tuberculosis from becoming drug-resistant. Once drug resistance occurs, curing the infection becomes much more challenging and time-consuming, often taking up to 18-24 months. Additional medications, such as levofloxacin, may also be needed. If you have tuberculosis, never stop your treatment early, as this can lead to drug resistance. Ensure you check in with your doctor regularly to ensure you receive the right combination and dose, so you can minimize side effects, feel better quickly and overcome the infection once and for all.
