Tuberculosis (TB) has several other names, some used historically and others still in common parlance.
Historical and Colloquial Names for TB:
- Consumption: This term was widely used in the 1800s to describe TB, even after the disease received its scientific name. The term reflects the wasting away of the body that often occurred in advanced stages of the disease. Source: CDC, World TB Day History and Wikipedia
- Phthisis: This older medical term, sometimes specified as phthisis pulmonalis (referring to the lungs), was a common synonym for TB. Source: Wikipedia
- The Great White Plague: This evocative name highlights the disease's widespread impact and the pale appearance often associated with the illness. Source: Wikipedia
- White Death: Similar to "The Great White Plague," this term describes the disease's devastating effects. Source: Wikipedia
Other Synonyms and Related Terms:
While not direct synonyms, terms like "tubercle bacilli" refer to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis organisms causing TB. Source: Glossary of TB Terms Further, tests used to detect TB infection, such as the tuberculin skin test (TST), Mantoux test, and PPD skin test are frequently used and might be encountered in discussions about TB. Source: MedlinePlus
It's important to note that while these terms might be encountered, the most accurate and widely accepted name for the disease remains Tuberculosis. The etymology of the word itself comes from a Latin word meaning "nodule" or "something that sticks out", referencing the characteristic lesions of the disease. Source: Cleveland Clinic
