Originally posted by: .krackjack.@Fiery : How reliable are these articles? Doctors ask not to rely on google for any kind of medical information, but these articles do make some sense to me...however, I don't exactly know how credible they actually are.
Originally posted by: taurean12
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease which is caused by a very resistant pathogen once it gets in our body. It can lay dormant for years (latent TB) before flaring into active TB showing the appropriate symptoms. Some people develop active disease faster than others. Any thing that compromises the immune system can worsen existent TB conditions or cause active TB to manifest itself. I am sure being in jail and being malnourished did this man no favors as far as is condition goes. Another point to be made is people who live or work in prisons are at a higher risk of catching TB due to the crowded and unsanitary conditions..so it's possible that this poor man caught the disease while going to prison for saying the truth..
Originally posted by: Fiery-Phoenix
Of course. Poverty and lack of resources play a big role in any of the diseases. Prognosis is always better for any condition if diagnosis and treatment get started as early as possible. And poverty, lack of medical facilities, lack of financial stability definitely affect one's chances of survival. And I am sure there'll be many articles claiming the same. Reason why 3rd world countries are at the receiving end of many epidemics. Even in the US, people who don't have insurance would be more at the receiving end than someone who does and gets quicker treatment.Again these factors would be true for many conditions. But if one wants to isolate the direct association to TB, then it's a different debate.
Originally posted by: Fiery-Phoenix
Catching TB ain't that hard. Even the hospital staff are at higher risk of catching TB or even traveling to any of the 3rd world countries. Dormant TB ain't as devastating. It's when it flares up + no treatment or delayed treatment that makes a bigger difference to one's prognosis.
Originally posted by: taurean12
I disagree with the statement -catching TB ain't that hard. It is not that communicable a disease such as influenza or meningitis. TB requires close and repeated exposures to infected sputum or air droplets..that's why people who live in close proximity and in confined areas are at higher risk. Hospital staff are at risk yes but are monitored regularly. I work at a hospital but not directly with patients and am required to undergo PPD test every year..
Originally posted by: Fiery-Phoenix
Of course the statement was to be taken more in the context with the discussion at hand and i.e India. In US, precautions and measures are way better than let's say India or any other 3rd world country. I work with patients and the fact that we have to be completely off for about a year if proven positive for active TB and the fact that everyone regardless have to undergo PPD testing, shows the kinda precautions we have here, not necessary the same everywhere. The reason why TB is less prevalent in the western counterparts than in developing and 3rd world countries. I don't have any article on hand, but I am sure a big chunk of population in India has dormant TB. So yes, there is a higher chance of catching TB down there. My statement may be a bit lose but not completely incorrect going by the discussion at hand. But I'll gladly agree to disagree if you think so otherwise.
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