Tuberculosis Vs. Flu
Both tuberculosis and influenza (flu) are medical problems that affect the lungs. Both conditions can cause complications that can be fatal, though this outcome is unlikely.
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Causes
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Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium and is spread through the air. The flu is caused by an influenza virus and is spread when someone has contact with a person infected with the flu or with something an infected person has coughed or sneezed on.
Symptoms
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Weight loss, coughing, fever and chest pain are symptoms of tuberculosis. Flu symptoms include fever, fatigue, coughing, muscle aches and sometimes nausea or vomiting.
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Diagnosis
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Tuberculosis is diagnosed through skin or blood tests and X-rays or CT scans of the chest. Doctors can test for the flu by taking a culture of mucus or saliva.
Treatment
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Medications are used to treat tuberculosis and flu; examples are ethambutol (Myambutol) for tuberculosis and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for flu.
Considerations
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People who work in populated places such as nursing homes or prisons should be screened for tuberculosis regularly and should receive the flu vaccine, since they are at a higher risk than others for contracting either condition.
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