Word parts
What it means
A bacterial infection spread through the air when a person with active lung disease coughs, sneezes or speaks. Active disease causes a cough lasting weeks, coughing up blood, night sweats, fever and weight loss. Many infected people have latent tuberculosis: the germ is in the body but causes no symptoms and does not spread. Treatment needs several drugs for months.
For the nurse
Use airborne precautions for suspected or active disease: a negative-pressure room, a fit-tested N95 respirator for staff, and a surgical mask on the client when outside the room. Teach the client to take every dose of every drug for the whole course.
In a chart
"Client with 3-week cough and night sweats placed in airborne isolation pending sputum results."
At a glance
| Abbreviations | TB |
|---|---|
| Spanish | tuberculosis |
| Also written | TB |
Related terms
infectious disease
An illness caused by a germ such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite.
pathogen
A germ, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite, that can cause disease.
precaution
A step taken ahead of time to prevent harm, such as the infection-control practices used with every client.