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Introduction to the lesson
According to the WHO, South Africa has the third highest TB incidence rate in the world (after India and China). South Africa had an estimated 450,000 cases of active TB in 2013, according to WHO data. (Read more about TB in South Africa.) In this lesson, we will focus on TB, learning what causes it, how it is treated and how it can be prevented and controlled.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Read the section "Tuberculosis (TB)" in your text book (p.209-212).
Learning Activity 1
Answer the following questions in your exercise book.
- What is the old fashioned name for TB?
- What pathogen causes TB?
- What type of pathogen is this?
- Describe the method of transmission. (Note there are two species of pathogen that cause TB and they are transmitted in different ways)
- What living conditions can cause the spread of the disease quickly?
- Why was the spread of the disease contained in developed countries?
- How has the migrant problem affected developed countries in recent years?
- What is the incubation period?
- What is the site of action of the pathogen?
- What are the clinical features (symptoms) of TB?
- How is TB diagnosed?
- What other diseases or conditions can predispose a person to TB?
- Describe the treatment of TB.
- Describe the problem with drug-resistant TB.
- Discuss how TB can be prevented.
- Answer Question 10.14 on p.212.
- The rate of TB incidence in South Africa has increased by 400% in the last fifteen years, according to the WHO. What factors can you think of that could have contributed to this?
Definitions and review
Mindmap
Add this section to your chapter ten mindmap.