How is tuberculosis transmitted and how to avoid it

The contagion of tuberculosis happens through the air, when the infected person releases the bacilli of Koch in the environment, through coughing, sneezing or talking, becoming suspended in the air and being able to be inhaled by other people, which can result in the disease.

the bacillus of Koch it can remain in the air for many hours, especially in a cramped and poorly ventilated environment, such as a closed room. Thus, the main people who can be contaminated are those who live in the same environment as the person with tuberculosis, such as sharing the same room, living in the same house or sharing the same work environment, for example.

Only pulmonary tuberculosis is transmissible, because it is necessary for the particles containing the bacteria to be suspended in the air. In this way, other types of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, such as miliary, bone, intestinal, or ganglionic tuberculosis, are not transmitted from one person to another. Learn more about tuberculosis.

What does not transmit tuberculosis

Although pulmonary tuberculosis is an easily transmitted infection, it is not transmitted through shaking hands, sharing food and drinks, or wearing clothing by a person with tuberculosis.

In addition, tuberculosis is also not transmitted through kissing, because the presence of pulmonary secretions is necessary to transport the bacillus of Kochwhich does not happen in the kiss.

It is important to remember that the person diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis stops transmitting the disease after 15 days of starting treatment with antibiotics recommended by the doctor, but this only happens if the treatment is strictly followed.

how to avoid the disease

The most important and effective way to prevent tuberculosis infection is through the BCG vaccine, carried out in the first month of life. Although this vaccine does not prevent contamination by the Koch, is capable of preventing severe forms of the disease, such as miliary or meningeal tuberculosis, for example. Check out when to take and how the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis works.

In addition, it is recommended to avoid living in the same environment as people with pulmonary tuberculosis, especially if treatment has not yet started. If it is not possible to avoid, especially people who work in health centers or caregivers, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment, such as the N95 type mask.

In addition, for those people who have lived with tuberculosis, the doctor may indicate a preventive treatment, with the antibiotic Isoniazid, if a high risk of developing the disease is identified.

Learn all about tuberculosis, main symptoms and treatment in the following video: