Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis or TB is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily affecting the lung parenchyma.

It can also affect other body parts, such as the meninges, kidneys, bones, and lymph nodes.

The disease spreads through airborne droplets released when infected individuals breathe, talk, sing, sneeze, or cough.

These droplets evaporate, leaving tiny nuclei, ranging from 1-5 µm in size, suspended in the air for durations varying from minutes to hours. Inhaling these nuclei spreads the infection to others.

Several factors increase the risk of tuberculosis transmission.

Close contact with someone with active TB heightens the risk of inhaling airborne nuclei, depending on exposure duration, proximity, and ventilation conditions.

Healthcare workers performing high-risk procedures, such as bronchoscopy and suctioning, are particularly vulnerable.

Immunocompromised individuals, such as organ transplant recipients, people undergoing hemodialysis, and people with HIV, substance use disorders, or long-term diabetes, can heighten susceptibility to tuberculosis.