Transmission routes of tuberculosis
Disease description:
My husband is 40 years old and was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the hospital one week ago. Recently, I have been caring for him in the hospital every day, and I am worried about being infected. May I ask if I could also get infected? What are the transmission routes of tuberculosis? How can I avoid being infected?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Jingli
The main transmission routes of pulmonary tuberculosis include the following:
1. **Respiratory transmission**: This is the primary route of transmission for pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients with tuberculosis release droplets containing *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* into the air through coughing, sneezing, or speaking loudly. Others can easily become infected by inhaling these droplets.
2. **Gastrointestinal transmission**: Although less common, tuberculosis can also spread through the gastrointestinal tract if individuals use utensils previously used by a tuberculosis patient, share eating utensils with a patient, or consume contaminated beverages.
3. **Transmission through skin and mucous membranes**: When the body has open wounds, *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* may enter through the skin or mucous membranes of the wound and cause infection, although this mode of transmission is relatively rare.
To prevent pulmonary tuberculosis, it is important to take measures such as wearing masks, avoiding close contact with tuberculosis patients, maintaining good ventilation in living environments, and disinfecting eating utensils.
