Latent tuberculosisState of tuberculosis infection without symptoms Medical conditionLatent tuberculosisOther namesLatent tuberculosis infectionSpecialtyInfectious disease Latent tuberculosis (LTB), also called latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), is a condition that occurs when a person is infected with the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis but does not have active tuberculosis (TB).
InfectionInvasion of an organism's body by pathogenic agentsMedical conditionAn infection is the invasion of tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease is an illness resulting from an infection, and some infectious diseases are also communicable (transmissible). Infections can be caused by a wide range of pathogens, most prominently bacteria and viruses.
Mycobacterium tuberculosisBacterium that causes tuberculosisM. tuberculosis in the lungs, showing large cavities the bacteria have dissolvedMycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb), also known as Koch's bacillus, is a species of pathogenic bacteria in the family Mycobacteriaceae and the causative agent of tuberculosis. First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, M. tuberculosis has an unusual, waxy coating on its cell surface primarily due to the presence of mycolic acid.
BacteriaDomain of microorganismsSynonyms"Bacteria" (Cohn 1872) Cavalier-Smith 1983"Bacteria" Haeckel 1894"Bacteria" Cavalier-Smith 2002"Bacteriaceae" Cohn 1872a"Bacteriobionta" Möhn 1984"Bacteriophyta" Schussnig 1925"Eubacteria" Woese and Fox 1977"Neobacteria" Möhn 1984"Schizomycetaceae" de Toni and Trevisan 1889"Schizomycetes" Nägeli 1857Bacteria are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell.
CoughA cough is a sudden expulsion of air through the large breathing passages which can help clear them of fluids, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. As a protective reflex, coughing can be repetitive with the cough reflex following three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis, usually accompanied by a distinctive sound.
FeverFever or pyrexia in humans is a symptom of an anti-infection defense mechanism that appears with body temperature exceeding the normal range caused by an increase in the body's temperature set point in the hypothalamus. There is no single agreed-upon upper limit for normal temperature: sources use values ranging between 37.2 and 38.3 °C (99.0 and 100.9 °F) in humans. The increase in set-point triggers increased muscle contractions and causes a feeling of cold or chills.
Contagious diseaseA contagious disease is an infectious disease that can be spread rapidly in several ways, including direct contact, indirect contact, and droplet contact. These diseases are caused by organisms such as parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Many types of organisms live on the human body and they can sometimes cause disease.
LungPrimary organ of the respiratory systemThe lungs are the primary organs of the respiratory system in many animals, including humans. In mammals and most other tetrapods, two lungs are located near the backbone on either side of the heart. Their function in the respiratory system is to extract oxygen from the atmosphere and transfer it into the bloodstream, and to release carbon dioxide from the bloodstream into the atmosphere, in a process of gas exchange.Night sweatsNight sweats or nocturnal hyperhydrosis is the repeated occurrence of excessive sweating during sleep. The person may or may not also perspire excessively while awake. Hot flashes and night sweats are vasomotor symptoms, and the most common symptoms of menopause. One of the most common causes of night sweats in women over 40 is the hormonal changes related to menopause and perimenopause. This is a very common occurrence during the menopausal transition years.
SputumSputum is mucus that is coughed up from the lower airways (the trachea and bronchi). It is commonly referred to as "phlegm". In medicine, sputum samples are usually used for a naked-eye examination, microbiological investigation of respiratory infections, and cytological investigations of respiratory system. These naked-eye examinations have been found to be successful, but are subjective to the examiner (in a professional setting, a clinician).
Weight lossIn medicine, health, or physical fitness, weight loss is a reduction of the total body mass, by a mean loss of fluid, body fat (adipose tissue), or lean mass (namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon, and other connective tissue). Weight loss can either occur unintentionally because of malnourishment or an underlying disease, or from a conscious effort to improve an actual or perceived overweight or obese state.
HemoptysisHemoptysis or haemoptysis is the discharge of blood or blood-stained mucus through the mouth coming from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs. In other words, it is the airway bleeding, and does not necessarily involve coughing. This can occur with lung cancer, infections such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, or pneumonia, and certain cardiovascular conditions. Hemoptysis is considered massive at 300 mL (11 imp fl oz; 10 US fl oz).*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.