tuberculosis

(noun)

An infectious disease of humans and animals caused by a species of mycobacterium mainly infecting the lungs where it causes tubercles characterized by the expectoration of mucus and sputum, fever, weight loss, and chest pain, and transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of bacteria.

Related Terms

Examples of tuberculosis in the following topics:

  • Industrial Cities

    • Tuberculosis (spread in congested dwellings), lung diseases from mines, cholera from polluted water, and typhoid were all common.
    • The greatest killer in the cities was tuberculosis (TB).
    • Archival health records show that as many as 40% of working class deaths in cities were caused by tuberculosis.

  • Infectious Diseases Today and in the Developing World

    • Other diseases, such as diphtheria, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and whooping cough were greatly reduced throughout the world due to childhood immunization programs, improved sanitation, and the use of antibiotics.
    • The top three single agent/disease killers are HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

  • Resocialization and Total Institutions

    • Institutions established to care for people that are incapable of looking after themselves and are also a threat to the community, including leprosarium, mental hospitals, and tuberculosis sanitariums

  • World Health Trends

    • At the global level, the three primary poverty-related diseases are AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
    • Developing countries account for 95% of the global AIDS prevalence and 98% of active tuberculosis infections.

  • Colonialism and the Spread of Diseases

    • In response to becoming infected, European military and government officials living in African and Asian colonies were quarantined to safety in areas away from natives, who were believed to be disease carriers, and, thus, "biologically inferior. " The leading cause of death in Europe and North America in the nineteenth century was tuberculosis.