What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It's a global health crisis affecting about 10 million people worldwide. It primarily targets the lungs but can also damage other organs like the kidneys and brain. The good news is that TB is both curable and preventable, spreading through air droplets.
What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?
The symptoms of tuberculosis include:
- Persistent cough
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
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Get A Second OpinionWhat are the stages of a tuberculosis (TB) infection?
Primary TB infection:
The initial phase is referred to as the primary infection. Immune system cells locate and grab infections. The immune system could entirely destroy the germs, but some captured germs may still survive and multiply.
- Low fever
- Tiredness
- Cough
Latent TB infection:
An individual is infected with a TB infection, but the bacteria are inactive and cause no symptoms of TB, and the person is not sick. Latent TB, or inactive TB, is not contagious, but it can transform into active TB, so immediate treatment is required.
Active TB disease:
It shows TB symptoms and, in most cases, can infect others who are in close contact with the sick person. Transmission can occur weeks or years after infection with the TB bacteria.
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
- Chest pain
- Pain with breathing or coughing
- Fever
What are the causes of tuberculosis?
Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Transmission occurs through inhalation of respiratory droplets containing the bacteria.
What are the risk factors of tuberculosis?
A strong immune system fights TB bacteria, but a weakened immune system raises TB risk. Factors include:
- HIV infection
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Kidney problems
- Certain strong medications
- Malnutrition
- Young children
- Poor health
- Working in high-risk zones (hospitals, healthcare centres, health camps)
- Travelling to high-risk countries having TB disease
How can tuberculosis be prevented?
If you have latent TB, your doctor will prescribe medicine to prevent active TB. Active TB is contagious and is treated for a few weeks. Take precautions to protect others:
- Stay home
- Ventilate your room
- Cover your mouth while coughing
- Wear a good face mask
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Book an AppointmentHow is tuberculosis diagnosed?
Your TB specialist or pulmonologist may advise specific diagnostic tests to identify the severity of tuberculosis disease accurately.
Tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic tests include:
- TB skin test (TST) or Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST)
- TB blood tests or interferon-gamma release assays or IGRAs
- Chest x-ray for tuberculosis - To look for lung changes inducive for TB disease.
- Phlegm test - Samples of phlegm will be taken to detect TB bacteria
- Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
Diagnostic tests for Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB):
- CT test
- MRI test
- Ultrasound scan test
- Endoscopy
- Urine test
- Blood test
- T-SPOT TB test (T-Spot)
- QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT)
- Tissue biopsy
What is the treatment for Tuberculosis (TB)?
The treatments for tuberculosis are:
- Antibiotic medicines are used to treat tuberculosis.
- Treatment duration is usually 6-9 months.
- Preventive therapy is available for latent TB.
- Common drugs include Rifampin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol, and Pyrazinamide.
