2.1 What is tuberculosis?

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Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused predominantly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis species of pathogenic bacteria, first discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. This is an airborne disease and persons become infected with TB when they inhale droplet nuclei that contain tubercle bacilli and the bacilli begin to multiply in the lungs. It can also spread to other parts of the body via the blood stream, the lymphatic system or through direct extension to other organs.

* Tuberculosis of the lungs is the most frequent form of the disease, and over 80% of cases belong to this type. This is known as Pulmonary TB. This form of tuberculosis can be infectious.

* Tuberculosis affecting organs other than the lungs, most frequently the pleura, lymph nodes, spine and other bones & joints, the genitourinary tract, the nervous system and abdomen is known as Extra Pulmonary TB. Tuberculosis may affect any organ and may even become disseminated. This type of tuberculosis is usually not infectious.