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Tuberculosis
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What is Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease that usually affects the lungs but it can also infect other parts of the body including the kidney and brain. TB in the kidney or spine is usually not infectious.
Tuberculosis is curable and preventable.
According to the statistics provided by TBFacts, WHO and TB Alliance, In India, there are approx. 220,000 deaths each year because of TB. 199 people in every 100,000 people suffer from it. Whereas worldwide in 2018, 10 million people in which 5.7 million were men, 3.2 million were women and 1.1 million were children. Out of these 1.5 million people died, India accounts for 27% of cases worldwide.
TB kills someone every 21 seconds
Causes
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria spread through droplets released into the air via cough and sneezes from one person to another. TB is highly contagious.
One should remember that TB is NOT spread by:
- Shaking someone’s hand
- Sharing food or drink
- Touching bed linens or toilet seats
- Sharing toothbrushes
Risk Factors in Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis mostly affects adults however, all age groups are at risk.
The high-risk population are:
- Those who are immunocompromised, especially HIV infected people.
- Serious medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, substance abuse, organ transplants.
- A person who has been infected with TB bacteria- a person who works or resides with people who are at high risk of TB in hospitals, nursing homes and residential homes for those with HIV.
- Malnourished
Symptoms
Latent TB
When the person has TB bacteria in their body but is in an inactive state and doesn’t show any symptoms. If not treated this can lead to active TB, at this stage treatment is important and can control the spread of TB.
Active TB
At this stage, the infection can spread from one person to another and it makes you very sick.
When a person develops active TB disease, the symptoms are:
- A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
- Coughing up blood
- Fever and chills
- Pain in the chest while coughing
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Diagnosis
1. Medical History
A clinician will ask about the exposure of TB, occupation and any medical history such as HIV.
2. Physical Examination
A physical examination can say a lot about the patient’s condition and the doctor uses a stethoscope to hear your breathing.
3. Diagnostic Test
- Blood Test :Used to confirm or rule out latent or active tuberculosis.
- Chest X-ray or CT scan: Show white spots in your lungs where the TB bacteria have grown. CT scans provide more-detailed images than those by X-rays.
- Sputum test: In case sign of tuberculosis is seen in your X-ray then your doctor might advise for sputum test where your sputum will be collected to test for TB bacteria.
A physical examination can say a lot about the patient’s condition and the doctor uses a stethoscope to hear your breathing.
Mantoux Test: TB Skin Test
The Mantoux tuberculin skin test is performed to test for immunity by injecting a small amount of fluid called tuberculin into the skin of your forearm. After 48-72 hours the trained health care worker looks for any reaction on the arm
The result depends on the size of the raised, hard area, or swelling. A Positive skin test means the person’s body was infected with TB bacteria.
Treatment
Many strains of tuberculosis resist the drugs most used to treat the disease. People with active tuberculosis must take several types of medications for many months to eradicate the infection and prevent development of antibiotic resistance.
It is important to complete the full course of treatment. Taking medication for 6 months is the best way to ensure the TB bacteria are killed.
Prevention
It is important to take basic precautions to prevent yourself and also to stop spreading TB to your friends or family.
- Do complete your course of treatment
- Washing your hands after sneezing or coughing
- It is advised to always cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing
- Disposing of the tissue should be carefully done
- Eat healthy fruits and food
- Stay home from work, school, or other public places
- Don’t use public transportation
Treatment of tuberculosis needs antibiotics for at least six to nine months
Questions for Your Doctor
- What is the cause of my symptoms?
- Do I need to get a test done?
- What if the treatment doesn’t work out?
- How long will the treatment be?
- I have other health issues will it hamper my condition?
- Is it necessary to stay quarantined during the treatment?
- Can you tell me the follow up period?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
TB is spread through the air by a person suffering from TB. A single patient can infect 10 or more people in a year.
TB is spread through the air by a person suffering from TB. A single patient can infect 10 or more people in a year.
Yes, this disease is fully curable if the treatment is taken on a regular and continuous basis for adequate duration.
The disease of TB spreads whenever, patients cough or sneeze without covering their faces or spit here and there. Hence, patients should always cover their faces while coughing or sneezing. One should not spit here and there and always use spittoon for coughing.
At home also, patients should spit in a box which is covered by a lid. Before disposing off the sputum, it should be boiled. It is very important not to get scared or to hide the disease whenever someone develops the symptoms of TB. It is necessary that the person concerned may get himself/ herself examined and take adequate period.
As per one’s liking, TB patient can eat any type of food. There are no special diets necessary for a TB patient. One should avoid any foodstuff which causes any problem in that particular individual.
A patient of TB should avoid consumption of bidi, cigarette, hookah, tobacco, alcohol or any other intoxicating drug.
