TB (Tuberculosis) and Pneumonia are both respiratory illnesses, but they differ significantly in their causes and nature.
According to the provided reference, here's a breakdown of the differences:
| Feature | Tuberculosis (TB) | Pneumonia |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. | Caused by various infectious organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) or chemical/physical irritants. |
| Nature | A potentially fatal and contagious disease. | Inflammation of the lungs. |
| Contagious | Yes, TB is contagious. | Pneumonia can be contagious depending on the causative agent (e.g., bacterial pneumonia is often contagious, while pneumonia caused by chemical irritants is not). |
| Location of Effect | Lungs but can affect other parts of the body. | Primarily affects the lungs. |
In essence, TB is a specific disease caused by a specific bacterium, while pneumonia is a general term describing lung inflammation that can result from various causes.
