Tuberculosis in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico (x-ray of a 3yr old with TB)
Tuberculosis is an infectious, contagious disease caused by a bacteria in the form of Myobacterium tuberculosis. A person can become infected through the inhalation of the bacteria through cough or expectoration. It can affect any body part, but principally the lungs.

In Mexico, 5,000 people die annually from this disease, in which there are close to 30,000 new cases annually. In the state of Chihuahua for the year of 2005, there were 217 cases of TB, in which 6 people died. Currently there are 149 active cases of TB in Chihuahua. Pulmonary TB is the most common accounting for 91.6% of active TB cases in the state of Chihuahua. I did see one case of Menigitis TB. TB is most common in those older than 18 years old, making up 89.9% (in the state of Chihuahua), although it affects all populations.

Symptons usually associated with TB, are a persistent cough, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, coughing up blood, and night sweats. In some of the TB patients I met with, persisent cough with sputum was observed, extreme weakness,& many were emaciated looking.

Diagnosis is usually determined through examination of three sputum cultures, and a chest x-ray. Many doctors will go ahead and start treating the person for TB if the chest x-ray shows TB instead of waiting for the sputum cultures.
(positive for TB, observe the purple colored rods)

Initial treatment for adult patients for TB consist of 4 to 5 medications; Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, & Etambutol for 10 weeks, the intensive phase. Then for the remaining 15 weeks, or possibly more, Rifampcin & Isoniazid are taken.