Tuberculosis
One of the most dangerous infectious diseases; prevented from birth with BCG vaccine.
Transmission
Spread through the air when people breathe in tiny droplets or dust containing bacteria from a sick person who coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms
Low-grade fever in the afternoon, tiredness, night sweats, weight loss, cough lasting more than 2 weeks, coughing up sputum or blood, chest tightness.
Complications
Massive haemoptysis, pneumothorax, bronchiectasis, chronic respiratory failure, tuberculous meningitis, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
People at high risk
Newborns, young children, people living with HIV, immunocompromised people, people in contact with a source of infection.
Preventive vaccines
- BCG – Tuberculosis vaccine