Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Tuberculosis
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium. It can affect any organ in the body but most commonly affects the lungs.
What is going on in the body?
TB is spread person to person when the bacteria is coughed into the air by one person and is inhaled by another person. In most people, the immune system, which is the body's defense against germs and other invaders, is able to control the infection. In these cases, the infection may cause few or no symptoms. Children younger than age 4, teenagers, elderly people, and those who have problems with their immune systems may develop a more severe infection. Severe infections can occur in every part of the body, including the brain. Tuberculosis is a common cause of death in the rest of the world, though death is rare in the US.
What are the causes and risks of the infection?
Exposure to a person with tuberculosis is the cause of the infection. Certain populations in the US are at a high risk of getting and spreading the infection. These "high-risk" populations include: