Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), but can also infect the bones, glands, abdomen and nervous system. Typical symptoms of TB include persistent coughing, weight loss, night sweats, fever, fatigue and swellings in the neck. Pulmonary TB is the most contagious type, but usually only becomes contagious if someone is exposed to an infected person for a prolonged amount of time.
Tuberculosis is treated quite effectively by antibiotics, although antibiotic resistance is a concern. This is where cannabinoids like cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) come in – they have all displayed antimicrobial activity. Edestin, a protein found in hemp seeds, may also be useful in treating TB. There is some concern about cannabis (in particular cannabis smoke) aggravating lung diseases like TB, but the evidence is weak.
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