Introduction to the history and significance of tuberculosis.

• TB is the deadliest infectious disease, prevalent since before Homo sapiens existed.
• Despite advancements like vaccines and antibiotics, TB killed more people in 2022 than several other major diseases combined.
• TB's history reveals truths about humanity and our challenges in combating the disease.

Explanation of how tuberculosis infects and affects humans.

• About a quarter of humans are infected with TB, but only 5-10% develop active disease.
• Active TB can be sudden or dormant for years, and risk factors include malnutrition, poor medical care, and compromised immune systems.
• The bacterium's thick cell wall makes it hard to kill, leading to a slow progression of the disease.

The relationship between TB and human history, literature, and stigma.

• Disease shapes history significantly, yet it's often overlooked in favor of topics like wars and empires.
• Stigma around illness can blame sufferers, which is seen in the historical treatment of TB.
• Illnesses like TB often carry moral and ethical narratives that can lead to stigmatization or romanticization.

How TB was perceived differently across cultures and time.

• Cultural beliefs about TB varied widely, with some seeing it as genetic, others as contagious.
• The romanticization of TB in the 18th and 19th centuries depicted it as a disease of refinement and beauty.
• This romanticization masked the true brutality of TB and had deep impacts on fashion, art, and beauty standards.

The racialization of TB and the end of its romanticization.

• TB was seen as a 'civilized' disease, which led to a racialization that excluded non-white people from its narrative.
• As TB spread among all classes, it could no longer be romanticized, leading to a shift in public perception.
• The discovery of the TB bacterium by Robert Koch marked the end of romanticization and the beginning of modern understanding.

TB's history through the 20th century and the development of new treatments.

• TB's association with the Industrial Revolution and its spread in urban areas due to poor living conditions.
• The development of sanitariums and public health efforts to combat TB spread.
• The rise of effective TB drugs in the mid-20th century and the challenge of antibiotic resistance.

The ongoing struggle to provide effective treatment for TB globally.

• Despite cures, TB continues to affect millions, particularly where HIV is prevalent.
• Inequalities in drug development and distribution have hindered the fight against TB.
• Activists like South African Fuma Tsil have been crucial in increasing access to life-saving TB drugs.