Steve here, stepping aside as the voice of Kurzgesagt for a special story from our dear friend John Green. John is here to share a tale close to his heart, so let’s dive right in.
Tuberculosis, often referred to as the “White Death,” has haunted humanity for millennia. This disease has been a constant companion since we first tamed fire, developed cultures, and ventured out of Africa. In 1815, it was responsible for one in four deaths in Britain, and over the past two centuries, it has claimed a billion lives—more than all wars and natural disasters combined. Even today, it remains the deadliest infectious disease. But what exactly is tuberculosis, and why is it so lethal?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis (TB), is a master of stealth and survival. Currently, one in four people worldwide is infected with this bacterium, yet it often goes unnoticed. TB is highly infectious but usually remains dormant, making it a silent predator. It is perfectly adapted to the human immune system and is incredibly difficult to eradicate.
The bacterium typically enters the body through the airways, establishing itself in the lungs. Here, it encounters macrophages, the immune system’s guard cells. However, TB has evolved to withstand these defenses, using its thick, waxy coat to resist the acids meant to destroy it. Instead, it turns the macrophage into a host, slowly consuming it and replicating at a leisurely pace.
When the host cell dies, TB spreads to new macrophages. Although the immune system eventually detects the infection, TB’s thick cell wall makes it a formidable opponent. The immune response forms granulomas, white blobs that contain the infection but also provide a safe haven for the bacteria. This stalemate can last for years, with the infection lying dormant in up to two billion people. However, in one in ten cases, the disease becomes active.
Active tuberculosis is a slow-moving emergency. When the immune system can no longer contain the infection, granulomas burst, filling the lungs with bacteria and dead cells. The immune system overreacts, causing inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs. This leads to severe symptoms, including persistent coughing, fever, and weight loss. The disease spreads through coughing, with an active TB patient potentially infecting 5 to 15 people annually.
Despite being curable with a four-month regimen of antibiotics, TB remains the deadliest infectious disease. The problem lies in its slow progression, which fails to capture public attention like faster-spreading diseases such as COVID-19. TB primarily affects regions with overcrowded living conditions, such as parts of Africa, South America, and Asia. In 2022, two-thirds of TB cases were in just six countries: India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Nigeria.
While significant progress was made in developing drugs to combat TB between 1940 and 1965, efforts waned, leading to antibiotic resistance. However, recent advancements in drug development and testing offer hope. New vaccines and rapid tests are on the horizon, providing an opportunity to push TB back.
To eradicate TB, awareness and action are crucial. A century ago, TB was a leading cause of death in the United States, but concerted efforts nearly eliminated it. We can achieve this again globally.
For more information on tuberculosis and how you can help, visit Partners in Health at pih.org/programs/tuberculosis. Additionally, check out the Crash Course Lecture on TB’s history and presence for further insights.
Thank you for joining us in this fight against the White Death. Together, we can continue our journey without it.
Research the history of tuberculosis and create a timeline that highlights key events, such as the discovery of the bacterium, major outbreaks, and advancements in treatment. Use online resources and library books to gather information. Present your timeline to the class and discuss how TB has impacted different societies over time.
Work in groups to create a public awareness campaign about tuberculosis. Assign roles such as doctors, patients, and public health officials. Develop a skit or presentation that educates your classmates about the symptoms, transmission, and prevention of TB. Use creative props and visuals to make your campaign engaging and informative.
Design a poster that promotes TB prevention methods. Include information on how TB spreads, the importance of vaccination, and ways to reduce the risk of infection. Use bright colors and clear messages to make your poster eye-catching. Display your posters around the school to raise awareness among your peers.
Conduct a research project on the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Explore how it infects the body, the immune response it triggers, and why it is difficult to treat. Create a detailed report or presentation that explains the science behind TB, using diagrams and models to illustrate your findings.
Use online databases to explore current global statistics on tuberculosis. Create graphs or charts that show the prevalence of TB in different regions, focusing on the countries most affected. Analyze the data to understand the factors contributing to high TB rates and propose solutions to address these challenges.
Tuberculosis – A contagious disease caused by bacteria that mainly affects the lungs. – Example sentence: Tuberculosis can spread through the air when a person with the disease coughs or sneezes.
Bacterium – A single-celled microorganism that can exist either as an independent organism or as a parasite. – Example sentence: The bacterium that causes strep throat can be easily treated with antibiotics.
Immune – Having resistance to a particular infection or toxin due to the presence of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells. – Example sentence: After getting vaccinated, her body became immune to the virus.
Infection – The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body. – Example sentence: The doctor prescribed medicine to help fight the infection in his ear.
Lungs – Two large organs in the chest that are responsible for breathing and exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with the blood. – Example sentence: Smoking can damage the lungs and make it difficult to breathe.
Antibiotics – Medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria by killing or inhibiting their growth. – Example sentence: The doctor gave her antibiotics to help clear up the bacterial infection.
Symptoms – Signs or indications of a condition or disease, often experienced by the patient. – Example sentence: Common symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, and body aches.
Macrophages – Large white blood cells that are part of the immune system and help to engulf and digest cellular debris and pathogens. – Example sentence: Macrophages play a crucial role in defending the body against infections.
Disease – A disorder or malfunction of the body or mind that leads to poor health. – Example sentence: Scientists are working hard to find a cure for the disease that affects so many people worldwide.
Vaccines – Biological preparations that provide immunity to a particular infectious disease. – Example sentence: Vaccines have helped to nearly eliminate diseases like polio and measles.
