Table of ContentsEtiology and Risk FactorsPathophysiological ProcessesClinical Manifestations and ComplicationsConclusionTuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is spread through respiratory droplets exhaled by infected people. There are two forms of tuberculosis: latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis. A person infected with latent tuberculosis will carry a dormant form of the bacteria but will not show any clinical manifestations of the infection. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death from infectious diseases and the leading cause of death among people infected with HIV. For example, a person with a strong immune system would be able to fight off bacterial infection effectively. But people infected with HIV will not be able to effectively kill the infection. Two billion people worldwide are infected with tuberculosis. The following regions of the world have the highest incidence of tuberculosis: Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Western Pacific. There is an antibiotic regimen (isoniazid) that an infected person can take to treat a TB infection. It is important that the patient takes the medication as prescribed. Otherwise, it could cause antibiotic resistance or fail to kill all the bacteria, causing a resurgence of the TB infection. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayEtiology and Risk FactorsThe cause of tuberculosis is a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is spread from person to person by inhaling airborne droplets that are released when a person with active TB coughs, talks, or sneezes. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a Gram-positive bacteria that requires oxygen to survive. Airborne droplets can be transferred from a person with active TB through the air and may even persist for long periods of time. Risk factors include: living near an infected person, poorly ventilated rooms, crowded living conditions, homelessness, living in a long-term care facility, and living in a third-party country world where the incidence of tuberculosis is high. Infants and young children are at higher risk of developing active tuberculosis than adults. There is a difference in the most common mode of transmission between adults and children. Children contract TB through their community or from adults with whom they come into direct contact. Activation of latent form of tuberculosis into active form in children is very rare in children under 10 years of age. Children usually have no symptoms of tuberculosis despite an abnormal chest X-ray. Children with active TB are also less contagious than adults because they cough less and therefore do not spread many airborne droplets. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes put people at higher risk of TB infection. Pathophysiological processes The pathophysiological onset of tuberculosis begins in the respiratory system. During primary tuberculosis infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli reproduce rapidly in alveolar macrophages, which then spread into the lymphatic system via lymphatic vessels. This process induces the first inflammatory response and causes the formation of necrosis..