Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by slow-growing bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can be transmitted from person to person by coughing, sneezing, singing or speaking. It is estimated that only around 5-10% of people fall ill after being infected with tuberculosis. It can take months, sometimes even years, between infection and illness.
People suffering from tuberculosis usually only develop symptoms some time after infection, typically a cough, slight fever or weight loss.
If these symptoms persist for a long time, it may be tuberculosis. However, other causes are also possible. The diagnosis is confirmed by the detection of tuberculosis bacteria. The effectiveness of tuberculosis medication is then tested in the laboratory. In Germany, all four standard drugs are effective in around 90% of patients and can be used for treatment. This form is known as drug-sensitive tuberculosis. The therapy lasts at least six months and consists of a combination of antibiotics(isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol). Treatment can lead to a cure.