What is Tuberculosis? Tuberculosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) is a dangerous and contagious infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also damage the kidneys, liver, brain, and spine. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), a type of bacteria that can spread through the air when people with active TB in their lungs cough, sneeze, or spit. TB is one of the main infectious disease-related causes of death worldwide.

 

Causes

MTB bacteria produce tuberculosis, which can survive and develop in parts of the body rich in blood and oxygen, such as the lungs. The germs can be passed from person to person via contaminated droplets produced into the air by coughing, sneezing, or singing. However, not everyone exposed to tuberculosis bacteria will get the disease. Some people may have a latent tuberculosis infection, which means that the germs are present in their bodies but are controlled by their immune system and do not cause symptoms. 25% of the global population is thought to be infected with latent tuberculosis.

People with latent tuberculosis have a 10% lifetime risk of acquiring active tuberculosis, which means the germs overpower the immune system and cause symptoms and complications. People who have a weaker immune system due to illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, chronic renal disease, cancer, or malnutrition are at higher risk. Smoking, alcohol misuse, exposure to silica dust or indoor air pollution, living in crowded or poorly ventilated environments, and having a previous history of TB or contact with someone who has active TB are all risk factors for getting active TB.

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Symptoms

The symptoms of active tuberculosis vary depending on which area of the body is infected. The most prevalent type of tuberculosis is pulmonary tuberculosis, which affects the lungs and causes symptoms such as:

• Cough that lasts more than three weeks and produces blood or mucous
• When inhaling or coughing, you may have chest pain or discomfort.
• Fever
• Sweating at night
• Weight reduction
• Appetite loss
• Fatigue
• A general sense of illness

TB can potentially affect other organs, resulting in extrapulmonary TB, which can manifest differently depending on the site of infection. The following are some examples of extrapulmonary TB:

• Lymph node TB is characterised by swelling and pain in the neck, armpit, or groyne.
• Bone and joint tuberculosis (TB) causes pain and stiffness in the spine, hips, and knees.
• Kidney tuberculosis, which causes blood in the urine, lower back or side pain, or kidney failure
• Meningeal tuberculosis damages the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, resulting in headaches, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or seizures.
• Pleural tuberculosis (TB) damages the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, causing chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
• Genital tuberculosis (TB) of the reproductive organs, resulting in infertility, pelvic discomfort, or irregular vaginal bleeding

Diagnosis

A combination of tests that can detect the presence of MTB bacteria or their antigens in body fluids or tissues is used to diagnose active TB illness. Among these tests are:

Tuberculin skin test (TST), in which a small amount of tuberculin (a pure protein generated from MTB bacteria) is injected into the skin and the reaction is measured after 48 to 72 hours, A positive result indicates that the person has been exposed to tuberculosis bacteria at some point in their life, but it does not necessarily indicate that they have active tuberculosis disease.

The interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) is a blood test that assesses the immune response to MTB antigens. A positive result implies that the person was infected with tuberculosis germs at some point in their life, but it does not always imply that they have active tuberculosis disease.

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Treatment

TB is a treatable disease that can be treated for at least six months with a mix of medications. The exact course of treatment is determined by the TB bacteria's type, location, and antibiotic susceptibility, as well as the patient's age, health status, and possibility of drug interactions. The most frequent drug-susceptible pulmonary TB treatment regimen is RIPE, which consists of four drugs: rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. These medications are used daily for two months (intensive phase), followed by four months of rifampin and isoniazid (continuation phase). For patients who meet certain criteria, a four-month treatment of rifapentine, moxifloxacin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide has recently been recommended.

To ensure that the patient takes the drugs appropriately and on a regular basis, as well as to recognise and manage any side effects or complications, TB treatment involves careful monitoring and supervision by a health care practitioner. Directly observed therapy (DOT) is an approach in which a professional health worker or a designated person observes the patient swallowing each medicine dose. This improves adherence, prevents relapse, and lowers the likelihood of medication resistance. Video DOT (vDOT) is an alternative to in-person DOT in which video technology is used to remotely view the patient taking the drugs.

To maintain the immune system and prevent malnutrition and dehydration, TB treatment also necessitates proper nutrition, hydration, and relaxation. Calorie-dense diets, protein-rich foods, and foods containing vitamins A, C, E, B complex, selenium, and zinc are all advised for TB patients. Alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco are examples of foods to avoid.

TB therapy may differ based on the presence of other medical diseases or particular circumstances. Patients with HIV/AIDS, for example, may need to take additional medications or change their doses to avoid drug interactions with antiretroviral therapy. To protect their infant, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers may need to avoid certain medicines or take supplements. Depending on their weight and age, children may require various pharmacological doses or formulations. Patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis may require more or different medications for an extended period of time.

When a patient completes the whole course of therapy and has negative sputum tests at the end of treatment, the treatment is considered effective. There should also be no signs or symptoms of active tuberculosis in the patient. After completing therapy, the patient should continue to have regular follow-up visits with their health care practitioner for at least one year to monitor their status and prevent recurrence.

 

Conclusion

Tuberculosis (TB) is a dangerous and contagious infection that can affect multiple organs in the body. MTB bacteria cause it, and it can spread via the air when people with active TB disease cough, sneeze, or spit. The symptoms of tuberculosis vary depending on which area of the body is infected. TB is diagnosed using a battery of tests that detect the presence of MTB bacteria or antigens in body fluids or tissues. TB therapy necessitates a six-month course of antibiotics as well as continuous monitoring and supervision by a health care expert. To boost the immune system and minimise problems, TB treatment also necessitates proper nutrition, water, and rest. The kind, location, and drug susceptibility of the TB bacteria, as well as the patient's age, health status, and risk for drug interactions, all influence TB treatment. When a patient completes the whole course of medication and has no signs or symptoms of active TB disease, the treatment is considered effective.