Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
TB is spread through the air from one person to another.
TB bacteria can live in the body without making you sick. This is called latent TB infection. In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. People with latent TB infection are not infectious and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. However, if TB bacteria become active in the body and multiply, the person will go from having latent TB infection to being sick with TB disease.
When TB bacteria are active (multiplying in your body), this is called TB disease. People with TB disease are sick. They may also be able to spread the bacteria to other people.
Other symptoms- weakness, weight loss, no appetite, low fever, chills, sweating at night. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected.
For more information on TB, please visit CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/default.htm
Malaria can be prevented by taking anti-malarial prescription drugs. You will need to discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with malaria: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html
Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in India and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region.
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