Page contents
- what is Tuberculosis
- symptoms
- Causes and risk factors
- Multiples
- Diagnosis
- treatment
- protection
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by a germ that can spread through the lymph nodes and bloodstream to all parts of the body. In most cases, the germ can be found specifically in the lungs.
1. Latent tuberculosis
The majority of people exposed to the TB germ have no symptoms at all, because the germ can live dormantly in the body for very long periods of time.
However, if the immune system is weakened, the germ awakens to become active and effective, causing damage and death to the tissues of the organ it is attacking.
2. Active tuberculosis
Active tuberculosis is a deadly disease if not treated appropriately, since the germ that causes tuberculosis is transmitted through the air, tuberculosis is very contagious, but it is almost impossible to get infected as a result of a one-time social encounter with a person infected with tuberculosis, as Must be constantly exposed to the germ or live or work with someone who has active tuberculosis.
3. MDR-TB
Tuberculosis in its latent state may eventually turn into its active state, and therefore it is preferable to give drug treatment to people who do not show any symptoms, because drug treatment can get rid of the latent germs in the body before they turn into their active state.
In the past, tuberculosis was very common on a global level, but it has become increasingly rare thanks to the antibiotic treatments that were given to treat tuberculosis since the 1950s.
About two decades ago, the US Health Administration announced that tuberculosis had been eradicated and completely eliminated in various parts of the world, but this announcement was premature, as tuberculosis reappeared in a new form called multidrug resistant tuberculosis, this type of Tuberculosis is resistant to all known drugs so far.
Symptoms of tuberculosis
The majority of those who are exposed to the tuberculosis germ do not show any symptoms at all, as this germ can live latent in the body for very long periods of time, and the symptoms of active tuberculosis are similar to other infections in the airway and are characterized by the following:
- general bad feeling
- Cough with phlegm.
- heat.
Causes and risk factors for tuberculosis
Since the germ that causes the emergence of tuberculosis is transmitted through the air, tuberculosis is a very contagious disease as mentioned earlier, and this does not mean transmission of infection from one encounter with a tuberculosis patient, but rather requires several meetings and communication with him.
Even when this actually occurs, only 10% of people exposed to the TB germ later develop active disease because the germ is often present in an inactive, latent state when it enters the body.
As for the others, that is, 90% of those exposed to the germ are considered to have hidden tuberculosis, so that they do not show any symptoms of tuberculosis and do not transmit the infection to others.
Tuberculosis may eventually change from its latent state to its active state, as previously.
Tuberculosis complications
Tuberculosis complications include:
- Spine pain where back pain and stiffness appear.
- joint damage;
- Swelling of the membranes covering the brain, causing meningitis.
- Liver or kidney problems.
- heart disorders;
tuberculosis diagnosis
There are two types of tests that are used to detect tuberculosis bacteria in the body: the tuberculosis skin test and the tuberculosis blood tests.
A positive TB skin test or TB blood test only tells that a person has been infected with the TB bacteria, and does not say whether the person has latent TB infection or has developed TB. Other tests such as a chest X-ray and a sputum sample are needed to see if The person had tuberculosis.
If a person is found infected with TB bacteria, other tests are needed to find out whether the person has latent TB infection or TB disease.
tuberculosis treatment
Tuberculosis can be treated by taking several drugs for 6-9 months. There are 10 drugs currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of tuberculosis. Among the approved drugs, the first-line anti-TB agents that form the basis of treatment regimens are:
- Isoniazid.
- Rifampin (Rifampin).
- Ethambutol.
- Pyrazinamide.
tuberculosis prevention
Tuberculosis is prevented by following the following tips:
- Take all of your medications as prescribed, until your doctor stops them.
- Keep all of your doctor's appointments.
- Always cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
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