What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys, and spine. Caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis , TB remains one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Despite being curable and preventable, TB continues to pose a global public health challenge due to drug resistance and inadequate access to healthcare. This article covers everything you need to know about TB, including its types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. What is Tuberculosis? Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. It most commonly affects the lungs ( pulmonary TB ), but extrapulmonary TB can involve other organs. There are tw...