Tuberculosis is an infection that usually targets the lungs, however it can also affect other areas of the body. Tuberculosis is widespread, it occurs throughout the world, with roughly one-third of the entire human race infected with the tuberculosis bacterium. However, not everyone who is infected will develop the disease as it may remain dormant in the body. When treated in the early stages of infection, tuberculosis is easily countered. However, if treatment is delayed, it can prove fatal. Each year, tuberculosis is the cause of over 2 million deaths.

Tuberculosis often strikes the elderly in developed countries, however in developing countries, it is also common among young adults. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death in women between ages 15 to 44 – attributed to almost 9% of all deaths.

Tuberculosis is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, as poverty is widespread throughout these regions. In Eastern Europe, there are 250,000 cases each year. In Asia, this statistic reaches three million cases per year. Sub-Saharan AFrica has two million cases each year.

Tuberculosis is spread through small droplets in the air released whenever an infected person coughs or sneezes. However, tuberculosis is not especially contagious, as it usually takes long term contact for a person to become infected. Only one in ten people who are infected actually develop tuberculosis, and when treated correctly, mortality rates are very low.

There are many symptoms of tuberculosis, and they may vary from case to case. Some general symptoms of active tuberculosis are persistent cough, night sweats, a loss of appetite, and pain while breathing. However, these symptoms are only for an infection in the lungs. Tuberculosis that affects other parts of your body, such as the bones, will produce different symptoms.

Tuberculosis is easy to treat at the beginning; however it becomes more costly if treated in later stages of infection. In the later stages of infection, there are four main drugs that are prescribed, isoniazid, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), ethambutol (Myambutol) and pyrazinamide. However, there are some strains that are resistant to specific medications. Without proper treatment, the mortality rate of tuberculosis can be as high as 50%. The problem worsens if someone is infected with a drug resistant form of tuberculosis – treating non-resistant tuberculosis can cost $2000 per person, but drug-resistant Tuberculosis may need treatment that can cost up to $250,000, far above what anyone in poverty can afford.

One of the best ways to prevent tuberculosis is to take care of oneself when around people who are infected with active tuberculosis. This can be done through simple ways like eating nutritious food in order to ensure that one's immune system is strong or simply getting enough sleep and exercise. One should practice good hygiene by washing hands frequently. Many people who live in impoverished countries are infected with tuberculosis because they do not live in sanitary conditions. The vaccine BCG (or bacille Calmette-Guérin) has also been proven to prevent tuberculosis deaths in children. Total coverage with BCG could prevent 40-70% of deaths in children attributed to tuberculosis. Unfortunately, its effect is not as great for the elderly.

Michael G (14) and Patrick G (12), Doors to Diplomacy 2007