Tuberculosis Evolution of Transmission and Treatment

Key Points
Symptoms Interesting Statistics History of Transmission History of Treatment Current Transmission Current Treatment Concerns Conclusions

Symptoms
TB can be related to cough, fever, and weight loss.
If untreated, fatal in over 50% of cases.

Statistics
Untreated patients infect 10-12 people on a yearly basis. In 1990, 7.5 million people developed TB, and 2.5 million died. 1/3 of the population of the world has TB. TB is the leading cause of death from a single infection in adults.

Statistics Cont.
1 in 10 to 1 in 20 of the people infected with TB actually get sick. TB has been around since prehistoric times
Found in ancient mummies

History of Transmission
Hippocrates
TB caused by growths in lungs

Having TB was attractive during the 19th century.

Pallor, flushed cheeks, emaciation

Crowded and unclean areas. Caused by airborne bacteria

Discovered in mid 20th century

History of Treatment
Patients sometimes mistreated, since the focus was on one area.
Autopsy studies concluded that TB could spread to many areas within the body.

Originally thought to infect the lungs, but can spread to other parts of the body.
Spine, abdominal cavity, and joints

History of Treatment Cont.

X-rays used in the 1920s to scan the lungs for TB.
Standard treatment for active TB patients

Before drugs were available, people went to sanitariums/sanatoriums for TB treatment.

High altitude, fresh air, rest, and food. Less advanced TB vs. more advanced TB

History of Treatment Cont.

First TB spa founded in the U.S. by Edward Livingston Trudeau in 1884.
Saranac Lake in New Yorks Adirondak Mtns. Trudeau had TB himself

India
Sadness, fasting, pregnancy, and exhaustion thought to be causes of TB

Further study breakthrough by Robert Koch.

Isolated TB bacteria in 1882

History of Treatment Cont.

Pneumothorax treatment.
Lung collapsed in order to let it rest

Villemin, 1865, established that the disease was infectious.

Rabbit experiment

Trouble with medication.

Workers hired to be sure medication was taken

Current Transmission
Rampant in underdeveloped areas.
Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia Crowded and unsanitary conditions

Transmission has decreased significantly, but could possibly increase.

Increasing world population

Current Transmission Cont.

Airborne Transmission
Hospitals Drying droplets

HIV victims can have TB transmitted to them very easily.

Weakened immune systems due to HIV

Current Treatments
U.S. Public Health Service
Grants Voluntary health groups Reporting systems

Vaccinations Chemotherapy Surgeons resorting to old methods of treating TB.

Removal of parts to treat cases that do not respond to drugs.

Concerns
TB becoming harder and harder to treat. Drug-resistant strains of TB are developing over time. Risk of TB in people with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS patients. Absence of national TB programs in undeveloped countries.

Concerns Cont.
Epidemic could possibly worsen
TB incident rates are expected to rise in HIV common areas. Famine, war, and natural disasters create populations of malnourished people, along with terrible living conditions

Serious commitment must be made by all to strengthen control programs

Unanswered questions
More ways in which TB is currently transferred? Are there any TB spas used in the world today?

Conclusion
TB has been in existence since ancient times Different treatments were used long ago.
Some successful, some not

TB is still a great concern to this day. Transmission a great concern. Current treatments available that are sufficient, but for how long? Countries worldwide need to take part in the prevention of future TB outbreaks