Tuberculosis (TB) is a strain of bacteria that is transmitted from individual to individual through the air. The disease is spread when infected individuals cough, sneeze, talks, or even sings. Spores travel through the air and cause latent infections in individuals who breath in the spores. A latent infection is an infection in which TB is not active, instead is still dormant. Individuals with a latent infection are still treated for TB to prevent the disease from becoming active. If the disease becomes active an individual will experience symptoms such as feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. When the lungs become infected symptoms include coughing, chest pain, and the coughing up of blood. When the disease becomes active patients are capable of spreading the disease. The disease is treated by taking multiple drugs for 6 to 12 months. If a patient does not finish their drug regimen then it is possible that the TB inside of them will develop an immunity to the medication.

Historically TB has affected the poor, especially those living in slums, the most. Places where individuals share close proximity or tight living quarters are perfect for spreading the disease. The disease originated in Europe in the 17th century, but grew to epidemic proportions in the 18th and 19th centuries as overcrowded European and colonial cities where perfect for the spread of the disease. Many immigrants coming to the United States in the 1850’s where susceptible to the disease in the day working in sweatshops, and then could spread the disease in their homes as most lived in windowless slums. Many were removed from their homes to live in sanitariums where they would not spread the disease to their families.

Today TB still exists despite the discovery and developments in antibiotics. The HIV/AIDS epidemic as well as malnutrition and poverty give the disease a population to strike. HIV, and malnutrition weaken individuals immune systems and poverty leads to close living spaces. Although it is rare in Western nations TB is still a danger in many 3rd world countries.