Tuberculosis TB
Definition
TB means tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is the bacterial infection of mainly lungs but it may affect other organs also.
The organism can affect circulatory system, lymphatic system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, joints, bones and skin.
There are two types of TB latent TB and active TB. In latent (inactive) TB the organism is present in body but does not cause symptoms. The disease is non-contagious in this state. In active TB the infection is present with symptoms. The disease is contagious in this state.
Alternative names
Lung tuberculosis, pulmonary tuberculosis, Tuberculosis
Causes, incidence and risk factors
Pulmonary tuberculosis is caused by bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The infection can be transmitted by air droplets of the infected person created during coughing, talking, sneezing or spitting. After acquiring the infection there may be one of the four things that may happen. It may be no infection at all, latent infection, active TB or delayed TB (disease develops after several years after the infection).
The disease may get cured but the organism remains in body in dormant (non active) state and may cause the disease again. In some cases the disease may reoccur in just few weeks.
Infancy, elderly and immuno-compromized state have increased risk of infection. The other risk factors are malnutrition, diabetes, previous TB infection, prolonged corticosteroid therapy, silicosis, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, gastrectomy, end stage kidney disease, vitamin deficiency, low body weight, chronic malabsorption syndrome, constant contact with the diseased person, international travel, drug or alcohol abuse and living in crowded places with inadequate sanitary conditions. Medical and paramedical staff who is in contact with the TB patients is also at increased risk of contracting TB
Symptoms
Symptoms may or may not develop in infected individuals. The classic symptoms of TB are chronic cough and blood tinged sputum. Fever, chills, loss of appetite, weight loss and night sweats are also common.
Sighs and tests
Abnormal breathing sounds, chest pain, pain while breathing or coughing, clubbed fingers, accumulation of fluid around lungs and enlarged tender lymph nodes in the neck region and other parts are the signs of TB.
Chest X-ray, culture of the sputum sample, blood test for TB, CT scan of the chest, tuberculin skin test, thoracentesis, bronchoscopy and biopsy of the affected tissue are the tests used to diagnose TB.
Treatment
The treatment is aimed at destroying the TB bacteria using drugs. The treatment includes combination of several drugs (normally four). Here it is very important to take the entire dose of the prescribed drug at prescribed time intervals to prevent development of resistance in the TB bacterium for some drugs. In case of resistance the infection becomes difficult to treat. Normally the treatment is required for six months but in some cases it may be longer also.
The antibiotics used for the treatment of TB are rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide and isoniazid.
Expectations (Prognosis)
If the disease is diagnosed and treated at early stage the prognosis is good. Symptomatic relief is seen in two to three weeks but to the see the improvement in X-ray, it takes longer time.
Complications
If the disease is not treated in time it can cause permanent injury to the lungs. Rash, vision changes and orange or brown colored tears or urine are the complications of TB. Other complications are meningitis, Milliary TB (spread of TB throughout the body), bone infection, and lung damage. The TB medications may cause side effects.
Calling your health care provide
If there are symptoms of TB, recurrent symptoms of TB, exposure to TB or if treatment is not effective then it is better to contact the medical personal immediately.
Prevention
Screening for TB, prompt treatment and vaccination are the measures to prevent TB.
Isolation of the TB patient till complete recovery can prevent the disease spread.
Reference
Nih.gov, wikipedia.com, mayoclinic.com