how epidemiology and nursing research can be used in a practical situation by using tuberculosis as an example.

Description of Tuberculosis as Chosen Communicable Disease

One of the worst infectious diseases, tuberculosis (TB), affects the lung as its primary target organ. The possibility of transmitting the germs that cause tuberculosis from one person to another by coughing and sneezing droplets exists (The World Health Organization, 2019).

The Causes of Tuberculosis

The organism Widespread tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). An infected person can spread the bacterium via the air by coughing, laughing, talking, or sneezing. Although the lungs are the primary organ attacked, the germs can also target other organs (The World Health Organization, 2019). Despite being contagious, mycobacterium tuberculosis is challenging to spread via air.

The symptoms of tuberculosis

Like other infectious diseases, TB has recognizable symptoms that can be used to diagnose it. Fatigue, a fever, a cough that lasts for three weeks or longer, night sweats, and red mucus in the trachea are some of these indications. Lack of hunger, a cold, chest pain, breathing difficulties, and abrupt losing weight are TB symptoms. The brain, kidneys, spine, and other crucial bodily parts are just a few of the areas where tuberculosis can spread (The World Health Organization, 2019). A typical sign of tuberculosis of the spine is back pain, but a sign of TB of the kidneys is blood in the urine.

The Mode of Transmission

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis (TB), transmits from an infected person to a susceptible one through droplet nuclei, which are airborne particles (Hargreaves et al., 2018). The dimension of these components ranges from 1 micron to 5 microns (Hargreaves et al., 2018). When a person with laryngeal or pulmonary tuberculosis sneezes, laughs, coughs, or yells, tiny water droplets containing infectious tuberculosis germs are released into the air (Hargreaves et al., 2018). These minute droplet nuclei can persist in the mood for several hours after being emitted. The disease spreads when droplet nuclei containing TB germs are breathed.

Complications

If tuberculosis (TB) is not identified and treated in a timely manner, it can be lethal. The lungs are most frequently impacted by tuberculosis (TB) while the disease is active. Numerous other health issues might also be brought on by tuberculosis (TB). Meningitis, joint damage, particularly tuberculous arthritis of the hips and knees, kidney and liver failure, as well as pain in the back and neck, often known as cervicogenic headaches, are all potential side effects of this infection (Hargreaves et al., 2018). Heart conditions like fluid buildup and irritation can cause cardiac pericardial effusion.

Treatment

Vaccination against tuberculosis is an essential prophylactic step. In regions where tuberculosis is prevalent, the bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine is frequently used to guard infants and young children against developing the disease. Due to the vaccine, it is considerably less likely that youngsters may get severe cases of tuberculosis. The BCG vaccine is not advised for broad usage in the USA due to its ineffectiveness in adults. The mainstay and most efficient technique of treating tuberculosis is still medication, though. Patients with active tuberculosis must have antibiotic symptoms for at least nine months (Medin Plus, 2019). The medicines to be used and the course of treatment is determined in part by the type of illness, age, probability of medication sensitivity, and general health of the patient. Patients should use no more than two separate TB medications for treating latent tuberculosis.

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