Tuberculosis: A Clinical Guide

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that generally affects the lungs and is caused by bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When the infection does not show any symptom, it is known as latent tuberculosis infection. Sometimes, the latent tuberculosis progresses as an active infection and can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms of active tuberculosis are fever, chronic cough with blood containing mucus, weight loss and night sweats. It can spread from one person to others through air when the infected person speaks, spits, coughs or sneezes. People who have latent tuberculosis infection do not spread the disease to other people. Diagnosis of active infection is based on microscopic examination and culture of body fluids, and chest X-rays. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of tuberculosis. It consists of contributions made by international experts. Researchers and students in this field will be assisted by this book.