Tuberculosis

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that damages the lungs. If prompt treatment is not received, the bacteria causing tuberculosis can spread into the brain, kidneys, spine, liver, and lymph nodes as extrapulmonary tuberculosis. There are different forms of tuberculosis, and whether a person is at risk for more serious health complications or fatality will depend on which form of the infection they have and how far it has progressed to that point.

Primary TB is the initial form, and it’s possible to recover from tuberculosis at this stage if the person has a strong immune system. Tuberculosis symptoms are not always seen yet with Primary TB, but the sufferer is already infectious. With Latent TB, they are not infectious, but bacteria are present, and the infection may establish itself in the future. The bacteria will be multiplying with Active TB, and sufferers will be clearly sick when they have this form of the infection. They’ll also be highly infectious at this stage.

What Causes Tuberculosis?

A tuberculosis infection starts with mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria entering the body. It is spread by airborne means, and most often when an infected person coughs, sneezes, laughs, or exhales forcefully in the vicinity of another person and causes them to inhale the same bacteria. A person can’t get tuberculosis from surface contact, and it is not possible via oral contact either.

Those with weakened immune systems are going to be more at risk of tuberculosis, and for these individuals, primary tuberculosis will proceed into active tuberculosis much faster and more reliably. Smoking increases a person’s chances of getting TB, and the risk is higher for those living in areas of the globe where tuberculosis is still common – Eastern Europe, Russia, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Tuberculosis Symptoms

People with active tuberculosis are going to experience chest pain, intense coughing and sputum, coughing up blood, chills, night sweats, chronic tiredness, fever, and weight loss. It is quite common for them to lose their appetite too. Tuberculosis symptoms for children and teens will be the same as for adults, but babies will experience an infection differently. A baby that has tuberculosis will often be lethargic and very fussy. Parents may notice a bulge in the soft spot of their head. The infant may also be frequently regurgitating food or having difficulty feeding.

Tuberculosis Treatment

The most conventional approach to tuberculosis treatment is to have the patient on antibiotic medications like Rofact or Myambutol. Doing what is necessary to prevent transmission will also be a part of what a doctor advises as the person starts treatment, understanding that it is important to keep others safe from infection.

This is done by limiting contact with other people, covering your mouth when coughing, sneezing, or laughing, wearing a surgical mask any time you are in public, and keeping spaces ventilated when you are in your home.