What is it?
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium. The disease can occur in the lungs, in other organs of the body including the heart and lymph nodes, and in the joints and vertebrae. Tuberculosis occurs worldwide, including in the Netherlands, but mainly in Africa, Asia, the countries of the former Soviet Union and South America. Without treatment, or with incorrect treatment, tuberculosis can be fatal.
Symptoms may include:
- fatigue
- coughing (up blood)
- fever
- night sweats
- weight loss
- reduced appetite or loss of appetite
How do you catch it?
Anyone can contract tuberculosis. People with pulmonary tuberculosis can be infectious to others. The bacterium is spread through the air in tiny droplets when coughing. When inhaled, the droplets can reach the lungs and lead to infection. The bacterium may not cause inflammation until long after infection (even several years later).
How do you prevent it?
You can reduce the risk of infection with the bacterium that causes tuberculosis by turning your head away from people who are coughing. There is also a vaccine against tuberculosis. This is given only in certain cases. You should receive the vaccination at least six weeks before departure, but three days before the vaccination you must undergo a skin test. A test fluid is injected into your left forearm, and three days later the result is read from your skin reaction. In certain cases additional monitoring for infection is recommended.
In addition to the conditions at your destination, your personal situation and travel plans are variables that have a decisive influence on the preparations you may wish, or be required, to make before you travel. At Amsterdam Travel Clinic you can obtain expert travel medicine advice and the vaccination mentioned above. We keep this vaccination in stock.
The above description is only a general, brief and simplified account and is provided for information purposes only. No rights may be derived from it. Personal advice is provided solely during a consultation with the specially trained Certified Travel Medicine Physician or Travel Medicine Assistant.