NORALYN

RISK FACTORS FOR PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

1. AGE- Children and older adults mostly 60 above age are at higher risk for PTB because
they have a weak immune system. Thus, bacteria easily spread the disease.

2. HIV/ AIDS - HIV/ AIDS attacks and weakens the immune system, leaving the body
vulnerable to infection. So, once the bacteria that cause tuberculosis enter the body of
someone who has HIV, usually through the lungs, the bacteria are able to multiply,
invade and cause pulmonary tuberculosis.

3. DIABETES- diabetes is a known factors for tuberculosis. This is due to latent Tb

infections being activated by the hyperglycemia associated with diabetes.

4. CANCER- it has been reported that malignancy and malnutrition are risk factors of
Pulmonary TB. Gastric cancer patients who often undergo significant body weight loss
might be more likely to suffer from malnutrition and might therefore be more likely to
develop Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
5. PEOPLE WHO UNDERGO CHEMOTHERAPHY
6. Traveling or living in certain areas- Your risk of getting tuberculosis is higher if you live
in, emigrate from or travel to areas with high tuberculosis rates specially in Africa, Asia,
Eastern Europe, Russia and Latin America.

Other factors
1) Using substances- IV drugs or excessive alcohol use weakens immune system and
makes someone more vulnerable to Pulmonary tuberculosis. Alcohol consumption
impairs the immune system which increase in the susceptibility of tuberculosis infection
as well as to reactivation of latent Tb.

2) Smoking. Smoking greatly increases the risk of getting TB and dying of it. Smoking

plays reduced immune response and defects in the immune response of macrophages
increasing the susceptibility to infection.
3) Working in health care. Regular contact with people who are ill increases the chances of
exposure to TB bacteria. Exposure to unsuspected cases of infectious tuberculosis or
exposure in circumstances of poor ventilation. Wearing a mask and frequent hand-
washing greatly reduce the risk.

4) Living or working in a residential care facility. People who live or work in prisons,

homeless shelters, psychiatric hospitals or nursing homes are all at a higher risk of
tuberculosis due to overcrowding and poor ventilation.
5) Living with someone infected with TB. Close contact with someone who
has TB increases the risk of Pulmonary TB too.