What is Tuberculosis?

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Most of the people are still not aware of what is tuberculosis. But knowing about such infectious disease is necessary as it is contagious and specially affects children. To be aware of it and taking preventive measures against it these days have become a necessity. It is a disease which is caused by the bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. This disease usually affects the lungs along with any other body organ. It is possible to treat this disease successfully with the help of antibiotics. It can affect any person of any age. People having less immunity system have high chances of getting such disease.

What is Tuberculosis?

What is Tuberculosis

To know about this disease, you must have an idea about its symptoms and people who can get such infection quickly.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

Many times, the disease is so mild that the infected person doesn’t even first realize it. People with TB don’t have any specific symptoms till it gets active. TB symptoms depend on where in the body the TB bacteria get multiplied. This disease usually gets multiplied in the lungs. The symptoms can be:

  • Pain in chest
  • Cough lasting more than 2 weeks
  • Weakness or tiredness, weight loss, chills, fever and night sweats
  • Coughing up blood or sputum

Person Prone to TB

Anybody can get TB infection, but there are some particular groups who are likely to get infected with such illness quickly.

  • Persons who inject drugs
  • Persons from countries were TB is common
  • Persons in nursing homes
  • Persons in close contact with someone who has TB disease
  • Persons with HIV infection or other diseases that weaken the immune system.
  • Homeless persons
  • Persons in prisons

Avoiding TB Spread

Tuberculosis usually gets spread through the air, if the infected person is untreated who carries pulmonary TB cough.

The good way to stop TB getting spread is by taking medicines suggested by the doctors and taking preventive measures. You must follow the clinic appointments from time to time and have a regular checkup done. You might have to undergo chest x-ray or phlegm test. Such test can show whether the medicines suggested are effective on you or not. Along with it, it also shows whether you still have the chances to spread the disease to other. Do not hide anything from doctors and follow the prevention advice as mentioned.

Preventive Measures

  • Cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze, cough or laugh
  • Never forget to take your medicine
  • Sleep in a bedroom away from other family members
  • Put the tissue in a closed paper sack and throw it away
  • Make sure that you stay away from other people and it is also important to avoid any kind of close contact.
  • Never go for work or school during such conditions

Diagnosis

Infection of TB can be diagnosed by a simple skin test. A small needle is used to apply some fluid called tuberculin, on the inside of the arm, under the skin, etc. After 2 to 3 days, the swelling of the skin is measured around the test area. A positive reaction means that the person has TB infection. TB disease can be diagnosed by a chest x-ray or a test of a sputum sample.

Treatment

TB disease can be cured with medicine which must be taken as prescribed by the doctor. The most common drugs that fight TB are:

  1. Rifampin or rifabutin or rifapentine
  2. Isoniazid (INH)
  3. Pyrazinamide

In case if you are diagnosed with TB, you will have to take many different drugs as there are many bacteria to be killed. Taking several drugs will not only kill the bacteria, but also prevent them from becoming resistant to the drugs.

In case you are diagnosed with lungs or throat TB, there are high chances of it to become infectious. Try not to go out in the crowd and stay at home as much as possible. This will not spread TB bacteria to other people.

There is no particular diet for TB patients as they can eat any kind of food. However, you must avoid food causing problems during the disease. Avoiding bidi, hookah, cigarette, alcohol and tobacco is advisable. Still if you have any doubt on what is tuberculosis, then consulting a doctor is advisable.