Discussion on Epidemiology: Tuberculosis

Epidemiology: Tuberculosis
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Epidemiology: Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is one communicable disease that heavily impacts a large population nationally and globally. It is also described as an infectious disease with adverse impacts on the lungs. Regardless of its minor implications on developed countries, the disease's historical impact was established in 1985 due to its diverse effects on different populations (CDC, 2021). One factor that makes TB a known disease in society is its resistance to drugs, making its management unsuccessful in most cases. The disease is detrimental since it can affect other body parts such as the spine and brain. It means that different actions towards the management of the disease may not be successful, thus critically impacting a large population in the contemporary. Therefore, based on the identified factors, the epidemiology of the disease tends to be wide. The paper probes the epidemiology of tuberculosis by considering specific factors such as the epidemiologic triangle, SDOH, and global implications.
Description of the Disease
Symptoms
The symptoms of TB depend on the prevalent types of the disease. Regardless of different types, pulmonary tuberculosis is responsible for most symptoms and makes the disease critical to managing (World Health Organization, 2017). The symptoms may occur after or before diagnosis. The key symptom of TB is fever. Every individual suffering from TB shows a fever and may contribute to other effects that jeopardize one's stability and normal operation. Secondly, night sweat is also common regardless of the weather and tends to be long-term. Fatigue and weight loss are also common among individuals suffering from TB due to increased loss of appetite, reducing their ability to consume food for normal body operation. Among the identified symptoms, chest pain is prevalent since TB affects the pulmonary. Therefore, individuals suffering from TB tend to suffer from constant chest pain
Mode of Transmission
The transmission mode is an essential aspect when dealing with a communicable disease. It can also be explained in terms of the chain of infection. The transmission mode is necessary among the researchers since it is used to determine disease management. The transmission of TB is chain-based and occurs from a susceptible individual. It occurs through the air based on droplet nuclei (CDC, 2021). In the form of water droplets, the droplets are minor and may be carried by air. Therefore, whenever infected individual laughs, sneezes, or coughs, the droplets carrying the bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) are transferred from the infected individual to the healthy. However, the droplets may be suspended in the air for a long time, and whenever they become in contact with the surface, it results in tuberculosis. Therefore, it is necessary to justify that the more the droplets are suspended in the air, the more an individual can easily contact the disease. Based on the chain of infection, the bacteria spread in the air and infect any individuals who contact it. Therefore, it is necessary to justify that proper disease management should be based on the chain of infection to curb its effects.
Complications
The biggest problem associated with TB is its impact on different body organs. The common complication is spinal pain. Spinal pain is critical since it is difficult to manage and may result in different problems in other organs. TB leads to stiffness and back pain which leads to spinal pain. Therefore, different patients suffering from TB tend to show the identified elements of the spinal pain leading to alteration of the body operation (CDC, 2021). The second complication is joint damage or arthritis, and it is complex since it leads to dysfunction of the knees and hips. The last complication that accompanies TB is meningitis. It is necessary to justify that meningitis is a complex problem of TB and, when not timely managed, will result in other complications. Therefore, it is justifiable that the common factor that makes TB a critical disease is its complications that affect other organs, including the heart and spine.
Treatment
Treatment of TB is one of the suitable aspects which every researcher or nurse should consider since it determines the elimination of the disease. Its treatment is also necessary and must rely on the chain of infection. Different modes of treatment exist for TB; however, the health experts determine specific factors such as the type of the disease. The most utilized approach to TB treatment is drug therapy or medication. Different drugs are effective in curbing the effects of the disease. However, before the actual treatment, it is necessary to identify the historical aspect of the disease. The drugs must address all types of TB for effective treatment. The most common drugs considered for TB treatment include pyrazinamide, ethambutol, rifampin, and isoniazid (World Health Organization, 2017). The identified drugs should be promoted after effective diagnosis. Therefore, effective management of the disease would reduce its secondary effects and enhance its effective management.
During the treatment, it is necessary to consider the effects of the medications to limit them from adversely impacting the patients. For instance, isoniazid is one the most effective drugs in managing the disease; however, its impacts are detrimental to normal body operations. It makes the patients extremely tired and unable to engage in daily activities. Numbness is also a common problem that the disease causes and may jeopardize the overall health. On the other hand, Rifampicin affects the women who take contraceptives, and it neutralizes the effectiveness of contraceptives (CDC, 2021). Therefore, it is necessary to justify that effective drug management will effectively manage the disease. Lastly, ethambutol and pyrazinamide are detrimental since they cause visual issues and nausea, respectively. The identified factors show that regardless of the effectiveness...