| What is Tuberculosis? |
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a kind of bacteria that most frequently affects the lungs, is the cause of tuberculosis (TB). Both a cure and prevention exist for tuberculosis.Through the air, TB may transmit from one person to another. People who have lung TB cough, sneeze, or spit into the air, spreading the TB bacteria. Only a few number of these microbes must be inhaled in order to cause an infection.A quarter of the world's population is infected with TB, which means they have contracted the TB germs but are not (yet) sick and cannot spread the illness. A lifetime risk of contracting TB for those who have contracted the TB germs is between 5 and 10%.A person's chance of getting sick is increased if they have a weakened immune system, which includes those who use cigarettes, are malnourished, have diabetes or HIV, or who are obese.The signs of active TB illness, such as a cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss, may not become apparent in a person for several months. This can cause delays in obtaining medical attention and result in the spread of the infection to other people. Over the course of a year, individuals with active TB can infect 5–15 more persons through intimate contact. Without appropriate care, virtually all HIV-positive and, on average, 45% of HIV-negative TB patients would perish.
| What causes Tuberculosis? |
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the primary TB bacteria (M. tuberculosis). Many individuals who get this bacteria never have active TB. They continue to have latent (inactive) TB. However, TB germs can get past the body's defenses, grow, and lead to an active illness in persons with weakened immune systems, particularly those who have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or are using immune-suppressing medications.When an infected person speaks, sneezes, laughs, or coughs, the TB bacteria is released into the air and can spread to others. Clothing, beds, drinking glasses, eating utensils, handshakes, toilets, and other objects that a TB patient has touched are unlikely to carry the disease.
| Symptoms of Tuberculosis |
 Although the germs that cause TB can live in your body, your immune system typically works to keep you healthy. For this reason, medical professionals distinguish between: Latent TB. You have TB infection, but there are no symptoms since the germs are dormant in your body. It's not communicable to have latent TB, commonly known as dormant TB or TB infection. Treatment is crucial because latent TB might develop into active TB.Active TB. This illness, often known as TB sickness, makes you unwell and, in most situations, can spread to other people. It might happen shortly after TB bacterial infection or years afterwards. Active TB. symptoms and signs include: Coughing for three weeks or longer Bleeding or mucous when coughing Chest discomfort, breathing difficulty, or coughing pain Unintentional loss of weight Fatigue Fever Sweats at night Chills Reduced appetite In addition to the kidneys, spine, and brain, other regions of your body might be impacted by tuberculosis. The symptoms and indicators of tuberculosis (TB) depend on the organs affected. For instance, TB in the kidneys might result in blood in the urine, while tuberculosis in the spine can result in back discomfort. Chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats are all common signs of active lung TB, as do coughs that occasionally produce sputum and blood. Rapid molecular diagnostic assays, which have a high diagnostic accuracy and will significantly enhance the early diagnosis of TB and drug-resistant TB, are advised by the WHO to be used as the initial diagnostic test in all patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of TB. WHO advises using the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and Truenat assays as rapid testing.It can be difficult and expensive to diagnose HIV-associated TB, multidrug-resistant TB, and other resistant types of TB (see the section below on multidrug-resistant TB). Treatment may include:
TB infection and disease is treated with these drugs: Isoniazid (Hyzyd®). Rifampin (Rifadin®). Ethambutol (Myambutol®). Pyrazinamide (Zinamide®). Rifapentine (Priftin®). You must take all of the medication your provider prescribes, or not all of the bacteria will be killed. You will have to take these medications for as long as you're told — sometimes up to nine months.Some forms of TB have become resistant to medications. It’s very important and likely that your provider will use more than one drug to treat TB. It’s very important to finish your entire prescription.
|
