Are Tuberculosis (sp?) and Rabies the same type of...

[bryan q]

...disease? I have often heard people say Rabies shot in reference to a TB test. Are they the same or are people just confused between the two?

[Charlie S]

TB is caused by a bacteria, which is spread by airborne transmission of infected fluids (sneezes, coughs, etc).Rabies is cuased by a virus usually transmitted by an animal bite, or by exposure of broken skin to the saliva of an infected animal. TB is curable, although the treatment is long. Rabies is, for all intents and purposes, fatal unless vaccine is given before symptoms develop.So they are not related in any way.

[Lynnie]

wow Ashely that is so not what tuberculosis is. How did that get 2 thumbs up?Tuberculosis is a contagious or communicable bacterial infection that mainly infects lungs but can infect neurological, bone and skin. Treatable but also fatal if not treated or intractable. It can be passed by humans fairly easily if they are in their infectious stage. Rabies is a viral neurological disease passed by animals.Valar there is no shot for TB but there is medicine to help. I know because I was on it. It is called INH or isoniazid (sorry long time ago) it comes in pill form. I took it every day for a year. If you have been exposed to TB it is s prophyllaxis to keep you from developing full blown TB.In Canada some people who must be mandated for treatment as this is highly contagious are kept in hospital to ensure they follow treatment.