“…tuberculosis is not only an infectious disease but a societal one as well…in order for ‘the people’s plague’ to be eradicated, the subtle interplay between disease and society must be fully appreciated. Until that time, TB remains a disease that could re-emerge to threaten us once again.”

Tuberculosis (TB) was identified by Robert Koch. TB’s causative agent is the pathogenic bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is neither gram negative nor positive. Acid-fast staining is required for identification. Throughout its history, it has had effects on aspects of society from fear of disease, to how society plans or maps cities, and even to one’s clothing style and fashion. In the 1850s, large cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, and New York City, became more and more crowded as immigrants came over looking for work. This promoted crowded tenements and living areas, poor working conditions, and poor air ventilation. This allowed TB to spread quickly. Lack of sunlight and hygienic practices allowed the pathogen to grow and spread. As the disease became more and more of a threat, people stopped wearing as much clothing in hopes that they wouldn’t pick up and drag the disease back to their homes: women, especially, stopped wearing such long dresses.

This infectious disease, though not as much of a threat now, could come back to bite us in the butt if we are not careful. In the US, according to the CDC, about 9,287 cases were identified in 2016, most being imported by immigrants (US Born: 31.6%). Globally, about one-third of the world is infected, with a total of 10.4 million identified cases in 2015. In order to resolve the disease, public health education should be provided to keep communities on the watch and aware. Identified cases can be treated, but only if identified soon enough and properly treated. As we evolve and change, so does bacteria. As we constantly search for and find new ways of treatment, the causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis is constantly working to become resistant to the antibiotics or treatments. The battle should not be given up by either side, meaning that we cannot turn our heads to it as it might become less and less of a problem to today’s communities. We need to work on keeping the public up to date on what to be looking for and make suggestions on practices of prevention, including the promotion of good hygiene and lifestyle choices. If given the opportunity, TB could grow and become a disease that could re-emerge to threaten us and our societies again.

Help received: Handout worksheet, powerpoint, CDC website