History of tuberculosis

History of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (pronounced: tu-ber-kyu-LO-sis), also known as TB, is a disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease primarily affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. The term "tuberculosis" comes from the Latin word "tuberculum" which means a small swelling or lump, referring to the tubercles seen in the tissues of those affected by the disease.

Ancient Times

The earliest evidence of tuberculosis is found in the remains of ancient animals, including bison in Wyoming dating back 17,000 years. In humans, evidence of tuberculosis has been found in Egyptian mummies dating back to 2400-3400 BC. The ancient Greeks called the disease phthisis (pronounced: THI-sis), meaning consumption, reflecting the wasting away of those affected by the disease.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, tuberculosis was known as the "King's Evil", and it was believed that a touch from the king could cure the disease. This belief persisted until the 18th century, despite the lack of any scientific evidence to support it.

19th Century

In the 19th century, tuberculosis was the cause of one in seven deaths in Europe. The disease was romanticized in literature, with characters suffering from "consumption" often depicted as sensitive and artistic. In 1882, Robert Koch discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, marking a major breakthrough in understanding the disease.

20th Century

The 20th century saw significant advances in the treatment of tuberculosis. The BCG vaccine was developed in the 1920s, and antibiotics such as streptomycin and isoniazid were introduced in the 1940s and 1950s. These developments led to a significant decrease in tuberculosis mortality rates.

Modern Times

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has posed new challenges in the fight against tuberculosis. Despite these challenges, advances in diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies continue to improve the prognosis for those affected by the disease.

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

History of tuberculosis