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Trans Health Alert
The Transgender Education Network has been notified by the Center for Disease Control that a cluster of Tuberculosis is occurring in the Baltimore and New York areas. Twenty cases have been confirmed. Other cases are also showing up in Canada. This is occurring in the Trans community. State and city officials are not responding as quickly as they should. The CDC wants to get control of this as quickly as possible. They are updating me on a weekly basis. Below is some information regarding TB. If you have further questions please do not hesitate to call:
Transgender Education Network, (617)988-2605 ext 211
All forms of tuberculosis require prompt treatment.
Definition
A chronic, contagious bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, which has spread to other organs of the body by the blood or lymph system.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The infection can develop after inhaling droplets sprayed into the air as from a cough or sneeze by someone infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease is characterized by the development of granulomas (granular tumors) in the infected tissues. The usual site of the disease is the lungs, but other organs may be involved. Primary infection is usually asymptomatic. In the US, 95% of individuals will have healing of their primary tuberculous lesions with no further evidence of disease. Disseminated disease develops in the minority whose immune systems do not successfully heal the primary infection. The disease may occur within weeks after the primary infection, or may lie dormant for years before causing illness. Infants and the elderly are at higher risk for rapid progression to disease.
In disseminated disease, organs and tissues affected can include the lining of the heart (pericardium), lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), larynx, bronchus, cervical lymphnodes, bones and joints, organs of the male or female urinary and reproductive (genitourinary)system, eye, stomach, lining of the brain and spinal cord (meninges), and skin.
The risk of contracting TB increases with the frequency of contact with people who have the disease, crowded or unsanitary living conditions and poor nutrition. Hispanics, Native Americans, and Blacks are at higher risk for developing the disease. An increased incidence of TB has been seen recently in the US. Factors that may be causing this increase are tuberculous infection in people with AIDS and HIV infection, and increasing numbers of homeless people. Another factor is the development of drug-resistant strains of TB. Incomplete treatment of TB infections (such as not taking medications for the prescribed length of time) can contribute to the proliferation of drug-resistant strains of bacteria. The incidence is 4 out of 10,000 people and increasing.
Prevention
Vaccination BCG for tuberculin-negative persons exposed to persons with untreated TB is given in some situations, but its effectiveness is under dispute.
Symptoms
In everyone is sweating, fatigue, general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise),weight loss.
In children, additional symptoms include
Fever of 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, cough
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Paleness, joint pain, chills, swollen glands.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to cure the infection with antitubercular drugs. These include:
Ethionamide, para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), pyrazinamide, isoniazid (rifampin, ethambutol, and streptomycin. Daily oral doses are continued for 1 year. For atypicaltuberculosis infections, or drug-resistant strains, other drugs may be indicated to treat the infection. Hospitalization is indicated to prevent the spread of the disease to others until the infectious period is over, usually 2 to 4 weeks after the start of therapy. Normal activity can be continued after the infectious period.
Expectations (prognosis)
Most disseminated forms of tuberculosis respond well to treatment.
Call your health care provider if known or suspected exposure to has occurred. All forms of tuberculosis require prompt treatment.
Rose Ryan
International Foundation for Gender Education
PO Box 540229
Waltham, MA 02454-0229
(781) 899-2212, (781) 899-5703 fax
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