Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It typically affects the lungs but can also spread to other organs, such as the brain and bones. TB is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with approximately 10 million new cases and 1.6 million deaths in 2018. Early diagnosis, timely treatment, and contact tracing can help reduce its spread. Treatment with antibiotics is usually effective, but there is an increasing prevalence of drug-resistant strains of TB which can be more difficult to treat. Vaccines and preventive treatment are available and can help reduce the risk of TB infection.