Get Your Facts Straight About Tuberculosis – Causes, Symptoms, and Ways to Stay Safe

Tuberculosis remains a major public health issue worldwide, being a contagious disease that primarily affects the lungs due to the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. If not properly diagnosed and treated, it can lead to severe complications. Let’s delve into the causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, and tuberculosis prevention and treatment strategies.

Causes of Tuberculosis

▲Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Tuberculosis primarily spreads through the air. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the tuberculosis bacteria are expelled into the air in tiny droplets, and others can get infected by inhaling these droplets.

▲Weakened Immune System
People with diseases like HIV/AIDS or those taking immunosuppressive drugs are at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis due to their weakened immune systems. Exposure to the tuberculosis bacteria in such conditions increases the chances of infection.

▲Close Contact
People who have had prolonged close contact with a tuberculosis patient are at a higher risk of infection. This includes family members, roommates, or coworkers.

▲Living Conditions and Social Factors
People living in overcrowded conditions, poor ventilation, malnutrition, or with chronic diseases are at a higher risk of contracting tuberculosis.

Symptoms and Identification of Tuberculosis

▲Persistent Cough
The most common symptom of tuberculosis is a chronic cough that lasts for more than three weeks. It can sometimes be painful and cause shortness of breath in severe cases.

▲Coughing Up Blood and Phlegm
Tuberculosis patients often cough up phlegm, sometimes mixed with blood. This is a serious sign indicating that the tuberculosis bacteria have damaged lung tissue.

▲Weight Loss
Patients with undiagnosed or untreated tuberculosis may experience unexplained weight loss, as the tuberculosis bacteria interfere with the body’s regular metabolism.

▲Other Common Symptoms
Fever, severe night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and loss of appetite are common symptoms of tuberculosis infection.

Diagnostic Methods for Tuberculosis

▲Tuberculosis Skin Test
The Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) involves injecting some tuberculosis bacteria into the skin and observing the reaction. This test can identify whether an infection is present but cannot distinguish between active and latent tuberculosis.

▲Blood Test
A blood test that measures the immune response to tuberculosis bacteria can be used to determine if an infection is present.

▲X-ray and CT Scan
A chest X-ray or CT scan is necessary to confirm the presence of tuberculosis in the lungs directly. These imaging techniques provide a visual representation of the impact of tuberculosis on the lungs.

▲Sputum Test
A sputum test directly detects tuberculosis bacteria in the sputum, which is crucial for diagnosing active tuberculosis.

Treatment and Management of Tuberculosis

▲Long-term Use of Anti-tuberculosis Drugs
Treatment for tuberculosis requires a long-term course of multiple types of antibiotics. This typically lasts for a minimum of six to nine months, depending on the patient’s response and the type of tuberculosis bacteria.

▲Management of Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
In cases of MDR-TB, an infection caused by tuberculosis bacteria resistant to standard anti-tuberculosis drugs, stronger drugs are required, and the treatment period may be longer. In such cases, managing side effects and adhering strictly to the treatment plan is important.

▲Follow-up Observations and Contact Testing
Confirmed patients should regularly visit healthcare facilities for check-ups, and close contacts should also be tested to prevent the spread of tuberculosis bacteria.

▲Social Support
To increase the success rate of tuberculosis treatment, it is essential to provide economic and emotional support alongside educational programs. These initiatives encourage patients to understand the importance of treatment and actively participate in the treatment process.