Diseases and Conditions

Risk Factors of Tuberculosis

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Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that affects the lungs and, on rare occasions, other places around the body, like the brain, kidneys, and spine. The disease has been around for thousands of years, and it continuous to plague the planet.

As an airborne pathogen, the tuberculosis bacteria—also called Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M. tuberculosis—can spread from person to person rather easily. In fact, it infects around 9 million people throughout the world every single year. Although some groups are more at risk of contracting tuberculosis, anyone is at risk. It is important to recognize the risk factors involved with tuberculosis, so you can protect yourself against the disease.

Here are some of the risk factors of tuberculosis: