The Impact of Tuberculosis
In the first unit of my STEAM course, Disease, I focused on the anatomy of the body. I investigated the various systems of the body, explored the different types of diseases, and how different types of diseases affect the body. For example, I explored cancer and its anatomy. For the unit action project, I was tasked to research a disease of our choice. I decided to choose Tuberculosis, and I researched how it affects the body, who they affect, and how Tuberculosis is transmitted to other people. I also was told to find a person who has experienced Tuberculosis and interview them. We concluded our action project by creating a patient profile. It was very touching to learn about a person whose life has been impacted and changed by Tuberculosis. Also, I was able to learn about some of the struggles that my interviewee went through. I enjoyed creating a life-size drawing of the areas in which Tuberculosis affects. I felt that I struggled with creating a representable drawing of the anatomy of the disease. However, I did enjoy researching the disease and was successfully able to compile all of the information that I researched about Tuberculosis into my action project. I hope that you enjoy my patient profile and the rest of my action project.
Tuberculosis can affect anyone. People who are infected by HIV have a higher chance of catching the disease. In addition, people who have diabetes makes it harder for their bodies to fight the germs. Tuberculosis is a very concerning disease, there have been as much as 8.6 million new cases and 1.3 million deaths in 2012. Tuberculosis is communicable by germs spreading through coughing or sneezing. In order for a person to obtain it, they must engage the germs. This disease primarily affects the poorest countries and are the most vulnerable to this disease. From 1997 to 2001, the global rate slowly declined. Since 2002, the amount of cases has been decreasing by about 1.3% a year.
This disease is first transferred through bacteria spreading from a person who obtains it, specifically by breathing the germs into their body. As time goes by, the disease may affect the patient's lungs, which is part of the respiratory system.
The bacterium travels through the blood and can begin to affect the spine, causing the patients to suffer from back problems, which is apart of the nervous system.
As the bacteria multiples, it further affects the surrounding organ systems. As it travels upwards, it can affect the lymph nodes and these function as a filter for harmful substances, which can make it difficult for a person with tuberculosis to fight the disease. It is a part of the lymphatic system.
It can increasingly spread towards the meninges, which are the membranes around the brain and in result affect the brain, which is apart of the nervous system
Females and Males with tuberculosis can affect their reproductive systems. It can create a problem of infertility and sexual function. For women and men, the most common cause of infertility in developing countries is due to tuberculosis. In addition, tuberculosis may cause birth defects and problems for the fetus during pregnancy.
Kulchavenya, Ekaterina. "Tuberculosis As a Reason for Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction (Review)." OMICS International, 4 Aug. 2017, www.omicsonline.org/open-access/tuberculosis-as-a-reason-for-male-and-female- sexual-dysfunctionreview.php?aid=92786.
Laura. "Laura." The Truth About TB, www.thetruthabouttb.org/tb-stories/laura//.
Rodriguez, Diana. "Treating TB Infection During Pregnancy." EverydayHealth.com, 16 Dec. 2009, www.everydayhealth.com/tuberculosis/treating-tuberculosis-infection- during-pregnancy.aspx.
Laura
Laura was first diagnosed with Tuberculosis when she was 29 years old. While most people in their 20s do not expect to be suffering from any disease, she was. For ten months straight, she kept feeling herself develop a cough that was on and off. She also felt a shortness of breath. At this point, she was feeling the first few symptoms of Tuberculosis. Another symptom that can occur but was not obtained by her is a fever. She then decided to take herself to the hospital and was shocked to find that she was suspected of having Tuberculosis. While she did feel the symptoms, she still was in shock because she always felt fit and healthy. In addition, she still to this day has never found out how she contracted Tuberculosis.
After she was diagnosed, she was faced with a lot of stress and worry. She was afraid that she couldn’t work and would have to be quarantined, which meant that she could not work. The risk of possibly being homeless was in her mind constantly and not being able to go on her “epic six-month adventure around the world”, as she said, saddened her. She had to frequently do blood tests that would check her cell count and liver function. In addition, she had to religiously take nine pills a day.
The treatment that she was given were the most common medications for Tuberculosis such as Isoniazid, Rifampin, Ethambutol, and Pyrazinamide. While taking the medication, she found her body having side effects from the drugs and the disease. During the first few months, she had constant nausea and joint pains. Throughout this process, she able to learn more about Tuberculosis. She shockingly discovered how infectious it is and is still one of the largest killers in the world.
Her life has now resumed to the normal state it had been before she was diagnosed and now has no side effects or symptoms. The reason for this is because of the medication that was prescribed which allowed her body to fight the bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacteria moves through the blood and primarily affects the lungs, which can create phlegm build up within them. Another reason why she was able to fight this disease is that she frequently went to her medical check-ups and was able to get blood tests.
As she reflects on her experience, she now has found the truth about Tuberculosis. She also feels that she has gained enough knowledge from her experience about Tuberculosis, that she can now give advice. Her advice to someone who has currently begun their journey with Tuberculosis is, “remember there is a cure, you just need to be patient, follow medical advice, take the medication daily and know that it doesn’t have to ruin your life”. In an x-ray that was recently taken of her lung, she was happy to receive the news that her lungs had healed. In addition, Laura has been approved and well enough that she is able to stop taking medication. Now feeling better than ever, she is training and preparing herself to run a 10km race.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis can affect anyone. People who are infected by HIV have a higher chance of catching the disease. In addition, people who have diabetes makes it harder for their bodies to fight the germs. Tuberculosis is a very concerning disease, there have been as much as 8.6 million new cases and 1.3 million deaths in 2012. Tuberculosis is communicable by germs spreading through coughing or sneezing. In order for a person to obtain it, they must engage the germs. This disease primarily affects the poorest countries and are the most vulnerable to this disease. From 1997 to 2001, the global rate slowly declined. Since 2002, the amount of cases has been decreasing by about 1.3% a year.
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| A.A. (2019) Systems Affected By Tuberculosis Diagram |
This disease is first transferred through bacteria spreading from a person who obtains it, specifically by breathing the germs into their body. As time goes by, the disease may affect the patient's lungs, which is part of the respiratory system.
The bacterium travels through the blood and can begin to affect the spine, causing the patients to suffer from back problems, which is apart of the nervous system.
As the bacteria multiples, it further affects the surrounding organ systems. As it travels upwards, it can affect the lymph nodes and these function as a filter for harmful substances, which can make it difficult for a person with tuberculosis to fight the disease. It is a part of the lymphatic system.
It can increasingly spread towards the meninges, which are the membranes around the brain and in result affect the brain, which is apart of the nervous system
Females and Males with tuberculosis can affect their reproductive systems. It can create a problem of infertility and sexual function. For women and men, the most common cause of infertility in developing countries is due to tuberculosis. In addition, tuberculosis may cause birth defects and problems for the fetus during pregnancy.
Works Cited
Department of Health. "Tuberculosis (TB)." New York State Department of
Health, Aug. 2018, www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/tuberculosis/fact_sheet.htm.
Health, Aug. 2018, www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/tuberculosis/fact_sheet.htm.
Kulchavenya, Ekaterina. "Tuberculosis As a Reason for Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction (Review)." OMICS International, 4 Aug. 2017, www.omicsonline.org/open-access/tuberculosis-as-a-reason-for-male-and-female- sexual-dysfunctionreview.php?aid=92786.
Laura. "Laura." The Truth About TB, www.thetruthabouttb.org/tb-stories/laura//.
Rodriguez, Diana. "Treating TB Infection During Pregnancy." EverydayHealth.com, 16 Dec. 2009, www.everydayhealth.com/tuberculosis/treating-tuberculosis-infection- during-pregnancy.aspx.
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