What is Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs, although it can also affect other areas of the body. While there have been great efforts and strides in the prevention and treatment of TB, it still continues to be a global health issue. In this article, we will discuss what tuberculosis is, how it spreads, its symptoms then ways to prevent and treat it.
What is Tuberculosis?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. It usually affects the lungs but may also spread to other organs including the kidneys, spine and brain. TB is contagious, which entails that it can be transmitted from one person to another, typically via the air whenever a TB patient coughs or sneezes.
How Does Tuberculosis Spread?
TB is airborne, which means it is spread through coughing, sneezing, talking or spitting from the mouth of someone with active TB disease in their lungs. Anyone in close proximity may breathe in the bacteria and become infected. And not everyone who’s exposed to TB will get the disease. Lots of people will only harbour the bacteria and not present with symptoms, what is termed latent TB.
Symptoms of Tuberculosis
This is because TB usually causes symptoms in areas other than the lungs. The most usual signs and symptoms of active TB in the lungs include:
Continuous Cough: A cough that continues for longer than three weeks and can be sputum or blood-stained
Chest Discomfort:Discomfort in chest while Breathing Or coughing.
Fatigue — Tiredness or weakness, even with enough sleep.
Night Sweat: Sweating more than normal, particularly at night.
Weight loss without cause: You will all see hat fat nuyting in lust.
Fever: Fluid fever which is slow and continuous in nature.
Decreased Appetite → Not wanting to eat, causing loss of weight.
TB can also hit other areas of the body, like the kidneys, spine and brain; you’d have back pain or urinary issues—and if you have TB in your brain, neurological symptoms (headaches and confusion).
What Causes Tuberculosis?
The bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB) is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads very quickly and survives in the air for hours if enclosed with poor ventilation. Being exposed to these bacteria doesn’t necessarily make one develop active TB. There are two main TB-related illnesses:
Latent TB — This is when the bacteria is in your body, but your immune system has it under control. Latent TB is asymptomatic and noninfectious. But if the immune system becomes compromised, then TB goes on to become active disease.
Tuberculosis disease: When the immune system in the body is unable to contain bacteria, it becomes active TB and may be contagious. Active TB is usually symptomatic and needs treatment to avoid complications.
Risk Factors for Tuberculosis
Some risk factors for TB include:
Immunocompromised – Those with a weakened immune system, like those with HIV/AIDS are more likely to develop active TB.
Exposure to an Infected Person – If you live with or otherwise spend a lot of time near someone who has active TB, then you may be at risk.
Environmental Exposure: Areas of the world where TB is found at a greater extent (sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and certain areas in Eastern Europe)
Substance abuse: Individuals using tobacco, alcohol or drugs are at higher risk of TB because their immunity is decreased due to the substance itself or lifestyle factors.
Overcrowded settings Babies sharing a room in a homeless shelter but separated by blankets run a greater risk, as do individuals living in communal environments such as prisons with little air flow or healthy spacing
Diagnosing Tuberculosis
If you think that you are suffering from TB or there is a chance that you can have it, then your doctor will be conducting some tests to determine the presence of TB:
Tuberculin Skin Test (TST): More commonly called the Mantoux test, this involves injecting a small amount of TB protein beneath the skin and assessing for a reaction over 48–72 hours.
Chest X-Ray: A chest X-ray may be used if the skin test is positive to look for any damage or active TB in the lungs.
Sputum test: A sputum specimen is examined to check for TB bug presence.
Blood Tests: Blood tests can also be used to look for signs of TB infection.
Treatment for Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a curable disease but needs extensive antibiotic treatment. The process of treatment depends on whether the TB is latent or active:
Latent TB: If you have latent TB, your doctor may recommend antibiotics to keep it from becoming active. The treatment is usually brief, and it includes drugs such as isoniazid or rifampin.
Active TB: Active tuberculosis is treated with a more intensive regimen. Standard treatment lasts 6–9 months and consists of a regimen of antibiotics including:
Isoniazid
Rifampin
Ethambutol
Pyrazinamide
You must never stop prematurely, even if you’re already feeling better, as this can result in drug-resistant TB that’s more difficult to treat.
Preventing Tuberculosis
As such, there are multiple ways through which you can minimize your risk of being infected or transmitting TB to others:
Vaccination: The BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccine has been used in many countries to immunize against severe forms of TB, primarily among children.
Good ventilation: Air movement in closed spaces lowers the risk of TB bacteria transmission.
Having an Active TB: Those who have been diagnosed with active tuberculosis should wear a mask to little or no risk of the disease spreading by wearing a mask.
Early Detection and Treatment: If you have TB, early treatment prevents transmission of the disease.
When to See a Doctor
If you have any of the symptoms of TB, such as persistent cough, chest pain, or loss of weight for no known reason please seek medical help. Treatment is available and effective if TB is detected before it gets too serious. Be sure to see a doctor if you have been in close contact with someone with active TB or if you live in, or visited an area where TB is endemic.
Outlook
The prognosis is typically good for people with tuberculosis, especially if the disease is found early and treated properly. While TB is a real illness it is one from which most will completely heal if given the proper treatment. TB is still a serious concern, but the reality is TB can be cured with treatment.
Awareness and early intervention is critical in TB management. Medical advice and testing should not be avoided if you think that you may have TB, or believe that you are at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tuberculosis be cured?
Answer — Yes TB is treatable and curable with the right antibiotics. Of note, one should always take the full course of a prescribed treatment as instructed by your physician.
Is tuberculosis contagious?
Yes, TB is contagious — spread from one person to another via the air (frequently when a person who has active TB coughs or sneezes).
Q: Will I get TB if I share a plate or drink with someone?
Q: Does TB spread from food, drinks or casual contact? A: No, it does not! It is spread through the air from an infected person when they cough, sneeze or talk.
Q: If a BCG vaccine is positive, can I still get TB?
This provided modest protection against TB, particularly for children against severe forms of the disease; however, its efficacy is not 100%. Vaccination does not prevent TB in vaccinated individuals, but reduces the occurrence compared to unvaccinated persons.
Tuberculosis is the leading contagious disease worldwide, however its a treatable and preventable disease. Go to a doctor if you have symptoms or are concerned about the possibility of having TB. If diagnosed early and treated properly, the vast majority of people with TB can be cured and live a normal life.