Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This disease usually affects the lungs, although it can spread to other organs of the body if left untreated and as it spreads through the blood, it ends up reaching the kidneys or brain. This pathology has caused many deaths throughout history, being also a quite contagious and serious disease. In fact, it remains deadly if proper treatment is not received.
Before there was no cure for this disease. However, today, fortunately, there is one. Despite this and its severity, it is important to avoid contagion. In we explain how tuberculosis is spread so that you can put the necessary measures and not suffer from it.
How TB is transmitted
Tuberculosis is a very contagious disease and easy to contract, but only when the bacteria affect the lungs. And, in many cases, it is difficult to establish prevention measures because tuberculosis bacteria are transmitted through the air from person to person.
In this way, when someone has tuberculosis and sneezes, spits, coughs or simply speaks, they are spreading the bacteria through the air, which enter another person's body through their breathing.
However, it is key to clarify that, if the affected person is undergoing treatment against tuberculosis, this disease is not transmitted through the air or by any other means. In general, there is also no risk of contagion when the bacteria are only in other parts of the body such as the kidneys, brain or spine, among other possible areas of the body where this bacterium is usually located.
To catch this disease, you only need to have inhaled a few bacteria. However, having breathed it and that it is in the body, does not imply that the disease develops. This is what is known as latent tuberculosis.
In this other article you can discover what are the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis.
How TB is transmitted
Tuberculosis is a very contagious disease and easy to contract, but only when the bacteria affect the lungs. And, in many cases, it is difficult to establish prevention measures because tuberculosis bacteria are transmitted through the air from person to person.
In this way, when someone has tuberculosis and sneezes, spits, coughs or simply speaks, they are spreading the bacteria through the air, which enter another person's body through their breathing.
However, it is key to clarify that, if the affected person is undergoing treatment against tuberculosis, this disease is not transmitted through the air or by any other means. In general, there is also no risk of contagion when the bacteria are only in other parts of the body such as the kidneys, brain or spine, among other possible areas of the body where this bacterium is usually located.
To catch this disease, you only need to have inhaled a few bacteria. However, having breathed it and that it is in the body, does not imply that the disease develops. This is what is known as latent tuberculosis.
In this other article you can discover what are the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Tips to avoid the spread of tuberculosis
Normally, when tuberculosis is contagious, it is most commonly transmitted to people with whom you live, study or work because they are the people with whom you spend the most time. In this way, friends, family or co-workers are the most likely to contract it.
To avoid this, it is good to take a series of measures such as trying to avoid contact as much as possible with the person with tuberculosis. If this is not possible, measures should be taken such as using protective masks so as not to breathe the air infected by bacteria, in addition to maintaining adequate hygiene rules when removing it.
They are keys that we give you in on how tuberculosis is spread so that you know how to avoid getting sick and take the necessary preventive measures and precautions before a person suffering from this pathology. Anyway, always the doctor will guide you in the most appropriate habits and guidelines to avoid contagion or transmission depending on whether or not you have tuberculosis.
