This story in the news is scary, and I can't help but wonder if it'll be a worldwide problem soon.
2007-06-01 07:13:39 · 7 answers · asked by Michael F 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
The news loves to hype things up. Just take measures to avoid TB and you'll be fine.
2007-06-01 07:18:10 · answer #1 · answered by The Cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually the strain of the bacteria is not particularly virulent. It is the resistance pattern that is scary. It is not more transmissible that other TB strains, possibly less.
There has been drug resistant TB for a long time and some, like this one, are resistant to most commonly used TB meds. There are other meds that could be used, and some are not used in the US anymore but eventually could be manufactures here in the future if this becomes a significant problem. We have managed it pretty well up to now, and again, I don't think widespread transmission is a concern. TB is transmitted through cough and this person wasn't even coughing. the CDC is just being cautious.
Don't panic.
2007-06-01 14:26:44 · answer #2 · answered by marce98x 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. TB is spread by droplets, which can come from sneezing and coughing by the diseased and inhaled by others. (droplets from a sneeze can reach a circle of 3 feet around the person who sneezed). The man didn't have these symptoms yet, so the disease cannot spread without a way out of the body and a way into another's.
Besides, bacterial infections such as TB can be treated with antibiotics. Viruses, however, cannot.
I'd be more worried about viral mutations - such as the flu.
2007-06-01 14:25:24 · answer #3 · answered by Karma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
-- A strain called extensively drug resistant TB survives almost all drugs used to treat TB, including the two best first-line drugs: isoniazid and rifampin. XDR TB is also resistant to the best second-line medications: fluoroquinolones and at least one of three injectable drugs.
-- WHO has confirmed 269 cases of XDR in 35 countries, with 85 percent of the patients expected to die.
Ok, I'll try not to panic!
2007-06-01 15:22:54 · answer #4 · answered by crowfeathers 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I highly doubt there will be so much as one person that develops TB from this particular situation. The man hasn't even developed the usual symptoms yet of productive cough and night sweats. His wife, who lives in close proximity doesn't have the disease. Do you like to look for things to worry about? Well this isn't one you should waste your time on.
2007-06-01 14:18:58 · answer #5 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't be too worried. there is meds to treat TB, but if your in the hospital for it, the nurses, doc and family have to gown up and wear masks to not spread it. the treatment is long but you can live, the old days we had no treatment.
2007-06-01 14:19:19 · answer #6 · answered by Nurse Amy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. But do you know when?
2007-06-01 14:20:52 · answer #7 · answered by Daniel T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋