Tobacco and tuberculosis.
Smoking is not only the most important source of avoidable disability and death, but a risk factor for TB infection, disease and death. Even passive smoking exposure may increase the risk of infection and disease in adults and children exposed to TB. Considering the increase in tobacco consumption in developing countries, where the prevalence of TB is the highest, smoking may be responsible for a large part of the burden of disease. Therefore, medical advice and counselling in smoking cessation is an important activity for all care providers engaged in management of TB.
Department of Aambulatory Care and Community Medicine, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. zellwegerjp@swissonline.ch
J P
JP
Zellweger
D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*