Tuberculosis; What should know

Tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mostly affects the lungs. Other organs the disease can affect includes: the kidneys, the spine, and the brain.

Transmission

When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks and someone nearby inhales the bacterium, TB is transferred through the air. Wherever there are large gatherings of people or cramped living situations, tuberculosis is easily disseminated. A increased risk of contracting tuberculosis exists among those with HIV/AIDS and other immune system impairments compared to healthy individuals.

Symptoms of tuberculosis includes

• a persistent cough that lasts for more than three weeks,
• chest pain,
• coughing up blood or phlegm,
• fatigue,
• weight loss,
• fever,
• night sweats,
• and loss of appetite.

Latent Tuberculosis:

Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick, as the immune system can often control the infection, leading to a condition called latent tuberculosis. Latent tuberculosis is not contagious, but it can progress to active tuberculosis in some cases.

Active Tuberculosis:

As the bacteria spread, you become ill. The sickness can spread to other people. Adults with current TB infections account for 90% of all cases. Active?TB?disease may happen right after primary infection. But it usually happens after months or years of latent?TB?infection.

Diagnosis of Tuberculosis:

To diagnose TB, various tests can be performed, including a tuberculin skin test, blood tests, chest X-rays, and sputum cultures.

Tuberculin skin test: The Mantoux skin test for tuberculin is another name for this. Your lower arm's skin is injected with a small amount of fluid by a professional. They will examine for swelling in your arm after two or three days. You most likely have TB germs if your test results are positive. However, a false positive is also a possibility. When you actually don't have tuberculosis, a test may indicate that you do if you've had the bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine for the disease.

Treatment of Tuberculosis

The typical course of treatment for active TB consists of combining a number of medicines administered over several months (six to nine months). The most frequently prescribed drugs are ethambutol, isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide. . It is crucial to complete the full course of medication to ensure the infection is fully eradicated and to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of the bacteria.

Particularly in underdeveloped nations and regions with poor access to healthcare, tuberculosis continues to be a serious worldwide health concern. The chance of developing TB might be raised by elements like poverty, malnutrition, crowded living situations, and HIV/AIDS. Early detection, rapid treatment, appropriate ventilation, and the practice of respiratory hygiene, such as covering one's mouth when coughing or sneezing, are all examples of prevention methods.

Control and Prevention

Widespread vaccination programs (Children in countries where TB is common often get the BCG vaccine), improved diagnostic techniques, and ensuring access to affordable and effective treatment.

Seek medical attention if you have symptoms like prolonged cough, fever and unexplained weight loss as early treatment for TB can help stop the spread of disease and improve your chances of recovery.

REEFERENCES

https://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-tuberculosis-basics

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis