How to Protect Yourself From Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a contagious and infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs and other organs in the body. It is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can be transmitted by infected individuals through droplets in the air by sneezing, coughing, speaking or singing. Although sometimes no indication of tuberculosis is present, symptoms may include coughing, fevers, chills, chest pains, loss of appetite and night sweats. Reduce your risks of acquiring tuberculosis by taking the necessary precautions protect yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Ultraviolet lamps
• Air filtration respirator

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Instructions

• 1

  Provide proper home ventilation. Proper ventilation prevents the buildup of infectious particles in a room, preventing bacterial diseases. Make sure your workspace and home have a constant flow of air supply through the heating and cooling system.

• 2

  Place a series of ultraviolet lamps along the perimeter of the ceiling of the room to treat the air as it is supplied and exhausted. Ultraviolet lights can destroy the tubercle bacillus in the air, protecting you from the disease.

• 3

  Wear an air filtration respirator when in close contact with a contagious individual. Wearing a respirator greatly reduces your chances of inhaling the infectious airborne agents, thus protecting you from the disease.

• 4

  Visit your personal physician for advice on the best immunization available. Immunization against tuberculosis is currently being debated, so there are limited vaccines choices.