What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease primarily caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It most commonly affects the lungs, although it can impact almost any other organ in the body. The disease is transmitted from person to person through the air when an individual with active TB coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets containing the bacteria.

While it's true that TB can affect various tissues and organs, its classification as an infectious disease is key to understanding its nature and transmission. The diagnosis of TB typically involves imaging studies such as chest X-rays and microbiological tests, and treatment consists of a lengthy course of antibiotics to effectively combat the bacterial infection.

In contrast, the other options describe different types of medical conditions. Autoimmune diseases involve the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues, but tuberculosis is not classified as such. A viral infection causing fever does not pertain to tuberculosis since the disease is bacterial, not viral. Lastly, while chronic respiratory diseases can be exacerbated by pollution, tuberculosis is a specific infectious disease and not caused directly by environmental factors like pollution.