Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease of lungs, although other organs of the body may be involved, such as the brain, kidney, and spine. Although tuberculosis is a preventable and curable disease, it remains a major public health problem worldwide, especially in developing nations. It is essential to know the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment to allow early identification and appropriate management.
What Is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The infection spreads through the air when a person with active TB coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings, releasing tiny droplets that others can inhale. TB does not spread through casual contact such as shaking hands, sharing food, or touching surfaces.
There are two main forms of TB:
- Latent TB Infection (LTBI): The bacteria are asleep inside a person’s body, and it does not become active to cause any symptoms.
- Active TB Disease: The bacteria reproduce and induce symptoms. This type is infectious and requires immediate treatment.
Causes of Tuberculosis
However, not everyone exposed to the bacteria gets ill. The risk for TB infection and disease has been increased by:
- Weak immune system (due to HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or cancer)
- Malnutrition
- Smoking and alcohol abuse
- Poor living conditions and overcrowding
- Prolonged contact with someone who has active TB
Symptoms of Tuberculosis
The most common form is pulmonary TB, which is an airway disease affecting the lungs. Symptoms frequently evolve slowly, and they may include:
- Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks
- Coughing up blood or sputum
- Chest pain
- Fever and chills
- Night sweats
- Fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Prompt and correct diagnosis is important in preventing the further spread of the TB and achieving successful therapy. Physicians can diagnose TB by a number of different means that include:
- Medical History and Physical Examination: Evaluation of the symptoms and exposure risk.
- Tuberculin Skin Test (Mantoux test): A tiny amount of TB protein is injected under your skin to test for a reaction.
- Blood Tests: Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) are another option for diagnosing TB infection.
- Chest X-ray: It confirms the lung’s abnormalities associated with TB.
- Sputum Tests: The presence of TB bacteria and drug resistance are confirmed by microscopy, culture or molecular tests (e.g. GeneXpert).
Treatment of Tuberculosis
TB can be treated successfully with the help of the appropriate treatment; however, it demands a long course of medications.
The most popular TB medicines include:
- Isoniazid
- Rifampicin
- Ethambutol
- Pyrazinamide
To avoid drug resistance, patients should stay on the entire treatment regimen until they feel better, despite the premature recovery. When the TB is drug-resistant, it can be treated more extensively, using second-line drugs.
Prevention of Tuberculosis
The TB prevention methods involve reducing transmission and enhancing immunity. Some of the preventive measures are:
- BCG vaccinations, particularly among children
- Active cases of TB are rarely detected and treated
- Improving living conditions and ventilation
- Wearing masks in risky conditions
- Treating latent TB in high-risk individuals
Tuberculosis is a major cause of concern to the masses, yet it is preventable and treatable through early detection and management. Awareness of symptoms, causes, and adherence to the treatment plan can help to save lives and prevent further infection. The reinforcement of the healthcare sector, raising awareness, and facilitation of treatment are key measures to eradicate tuberculosis on a global scale.
