Skip to main content

A Quick Overview of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is considered to be an infectious disease that affects the lungs. Globally, tuberculosis is the second biggest killer that is caused by one infectious agent. 

During the 18th & 19th centuries, North America and Europe were hit by the tuberculosis epidemic. In the year 1882, Robert Koch, a German microbiologist, was able to figure out the microbial causes behind this deadly disease. 

Following the discovery, effective drug treatment and vaccinations were developed to defeat the disease. The United Nations also predicted that tuberculosis (TB) would be eliminated entirely all across the globe by the year 2025.  



However, during the 1980s, the number of cases suffering from TB began to rise to a level where the World Health Organization (WHO), in the year 1993, announced that TB is a global threat. Because of this reason, the United States does a thorough screening test for tuberculosis to keep the disease out of the country. If you are applying for a visa to the US, you must look for immigration medical doctors Austell to have yourself checked. 

What is Tuberculosis?

Doctors say that tuberculosis infection comes in two forms – 

Latent TB – In this stage, the bacteria remain in the body, but in an active state. The disease isn’t contagious, and there are no symptoms. But they can become active in the future. 

Active TB – In this stage, the bacteria become active and could transmit from one person to the other. 

About one-third of people living in the world is predicted to have latent TB. Latent TB comes active in only 10 percent of the cases. However, the risk will be higher in individuals who may have compromised immune systems, like people with malnutrition or HIV. 

TB can affect all age groups living in any corner of the world. However, young adults and people from developing countries have a higher chance of acquiring this condition.  

Early Signs 

As per the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the early signs of TB include – 
  • Chest pain 
  • Severe cough, lasting for three weeks or more
  • Night sweats, fever, and chills
  • Weight loss and loss of appetite
  • Feeling weak or sick 

TB could also affect other areas of the body, and the symptoms will be different based on the location. 

Symptoms 

When the person is at the latent stage, there will be no symptoms. However, active TB will be seen in the form of fever, cough, and several other symptoms. 

TB affects the lungs usually but can also cause damage to other parts of the body. If treatment is not given on time, the illness can spread to the bloodstream. 

When TB affects other parts of the body, it will result in the following – 
  • Brain – Meningitis 
  • Bones – Joint destruction and spinal pain 
  • Heart – Cardiac tamponade
  • Kidneys and Liver – Blood in the urine, impair filtration functions. 

If you want to find out if you will be allowed to enter the United States, you should book an appointment at a medical office for screening. 

Conclusion 

If proper treatment is given, tuberculosis can be treated effectively. Because of this reason, the number of cases has significantly gone down. However, if appropriate treatment isn’t available, then the condition can be fatal.
Labels:
Location: 4898 Austell Rd, Austell, GA 30106, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Guide to Green Card Immigration Medical Examination

A medical examination is an essential step in the green card immigration process. A government-authorized doctor will be doing a series of tests. Let’s discuss them in a little detail. The various parts of the examination include – Reviewing the immunization records and medical history Evaluating mental and physical well-being Screening of drug and alcohol Testing for multiple illnesses and diseases  The purpose of doing these tests is to ensure that the individual doesn’t have any health condition that will make him/her inadmissible to the country or receiving a green card. It is normal to get nervous about this step. People often search for urgent care Austell in order to handle the process in the best possible way. However, by taking adequate measures, people will be able to make the entire process less stressful as well as help in avoiding issues that may have a hand in delaying the immigration process or denial of the green card application. The Doctor T...
1 comment
Read more

Understanding Medical Examinations for Green Card Holders

If you want a green card immigrant visa, it is important for you to pass the medical examination. The examination falls under the health-related ground of inadmissibility, where a doctor approved by the USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) will conduct a thorough medical exam. The requirement applies to child as well as adult applicants; however, the doctor will be taking the age into account to make decisions regarding the necessary vaccinations. If the doctor is not in the approved doctors' list, he/she will not be allowed to do the exam. Therefore, when you look for immigration medical doctors Austell GA , make sure that they have been approved by the USCIS. There is a certain amount of fee that you will have to pay for the exam. The charges will vary, and the U.S. government doesn’t have a role to play in deciding the fee.  The Role of the Doctor The exam won’t be like a routine check-up or physical exam, where you will be bringing up health issu...
Post a Comment
Read more

How Can You Prepare for An Immigration Medical Exam?

If you want to immigrate to a foreign country, you will have to undergo an immigration medical examination. It is also necessary to become a green cardholder. These examinations are meant to ensure public safety as well as removing the grounds on which the intending immigrants would be inadmissible to the country.  Certain diseases are a threat to public health, making the person having it inadmissible to the United States and other countries. Therefore, this exam proves that the individual is healthy and can be admitted to the country.   Purpose of the Medical Exam  Medical examinations are administered on foreign nationals because the intent is to safeguard the health of the general population of the United States. The medical examination report and the vaccination record will supply the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will information that will determine whether the individual is able to meet the health requirements for entry into the country...
Post a Comment
Read more