what are some interesting facts you have learned about this tuberculosis that you didn't know before?
1. Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can also target other parts of the body.
2. TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, with an estimated 1.5 million people dying from the disease in 2020.
3. The bacteria that cause TB are spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making it highly contagious.
4. TB can be latent, meaning the bacteria are present in the body but not causing symptoms, or active, where the bacteria are actively causing illness.
5. Drug-resistant strains of TB are becoming increasingly common, making treatment more challenging and costly.
6. Tuberculosis has been present in humans for thousands of years, with evidence of the disease found in ancient Egyptian mummies.
7. The BCG vaccine, which is commonly given to children in countries with high TB rates, is not always effective in preventing the disease.
8. TB disproportionately affects marginalized populations, including those living in poverty, overcrowded conditions, and with limited access to healthcare.
9. Multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) are forms of the disease that are resistant to multiple or all available antibiotics, respectively.
10. Through coordinated efforts and increased funding, the global community has made significant progress in reducing TB incidence and mortality rates, but more work is needed to eliminate the disease entirely.