WPSU’s Health Minute is a collaboration with Penn State’s College of Nursing.
World Tuberculosis Day is in March. It’s a time to raise public awareness about a deadly contagious disease that’s still prevalent in many countries, including the United States.
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease spread through droplets in the air. It can affect the brain, bones, and lungs. If left untreated, TB may be fatal. Symptoms include night sweats, coughing up blood, fever, and malaise.
Through early screening, like a simple blood or skin test, TB can be treated with 3 to 6 months of daily antibiotic and antitubercular medications.
Daily medication compliance helps prevent multi-resistant drug tuberculosis, which is more difficult to treat.
For more information, visit cdc.gov/tb.
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