Tuberculosis is a bacterial diseases which affects almost all organs of the body. When lungs get affected, it is known as pulmonary tuberculosis and such patients can be infective to those around them. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.
It has been a challenge to eradicate tuberculosis for multiple reasons. Once infected, this bacteria can remain dormant in the patients body (latent tuberculosis) and cause disease in the fututre when one’s immunity reduces due to Diabetes, malnutrition, Vitamin D defficiency, steroids and some other drugs.
Symptoms
- Cough (with or without sputum production)
- Blood in cough (hemoptysis)
- Breathlessness
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fatigue, fever (low grade) and night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of your body, including the kidneys, spine or brain. When TB occurs outside your lungs, signs and symptoms vary according to the organs involved.
Diagnosis
Based on the symptoms, doctors rely on radiological tests like chest x ray, CT scans and microbiological test or sputum which is sent for Gene Xpert, Tb Culture etc. When patients donot bring out sputum, bronchoscopy and endobronchial biopsies may be needed to send samples for further testing and diagnosis. It is also important to know if someone has MDR TB or XDR TB. The medicines and duration of treatment depends on the type of tuberculosis.
Advise for patients
Masking, good nutrition, good ventilation and sunlight, taking medications on time and as advised is important.
Once treatment starts you can be non infectious to others in a few weeks time.
It takes about a week for the medications to suit you.
If you experience any side effects from the medicine, get in touch with the doctor as treatment adjustment will be needed.
Duration of treatment is long and the medicines have to be continued even if the symptoms get better.
Please keep all the records with you, when you come for the consultation.