Diseases & Conditions

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It most commonly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can affect almost any organ — including lymph nodes, kidneys, spine, and brain. TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing microscopic droplets. Nigeria has one of the highest TB burdens in the world, ranking sixth globally. TB is curable with a full course of antibiotics, but treatment requires taking multiple drugs for a minimum of 6 months. Drug-resistant TB — caused by incomplete or incorrect treatment — is a growing and serious threat.

Typhoid fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi, transmitted through contaminated food and water. It is a major public health problem in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries where access to safe drinking water and sanitation is limited. Without treatment, typhoid can lead to severe and life-threatening complications including intestinal perforation and internal bleeding. With proper antibiotic therapy, most patients recover fully. A related but milder illness, paratyphoid fever, is caused by Salmonella paratyphi.