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Tuberculosis(TB) is a chronic lung disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The most severe forms of the disease affect the lungs, spinal column, kidneys, or brain. The mode of spreading is through droplets which, when inhaled with the active forms of the bacterium, lead to an infection in the lungs.
Two forms of TB occur in humans. Latent Tuberculosis has microbes within the body but no TB symptoms. This is because the immune system of the person fights off any symptoms.
The multiplication of M. tuberculosis within the body leads to active TB symptoms, and the infection spreads through the droplets. Drug-resistant TB is when the patient does not respond to certain antibiotics. Consult with our experts to have the best treatment. Visit our respiratory disease treatment centre in Mysore today.
A few other TB complications can arise from the bacterium spreading to the other body parts or extra-pulmonary TB. They are listed as follows:
Systemic military TB.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the patient’s brain.
TB lymphadenitis or scrofula is when the lymph nodes in the neck get inflamed and infected.
Tuberculosis spondylitis or spinal TB or Pott’s disease which is when the spinal column gets infected.
Hepatitis or liver disease.
High quantities of white blood cells in the patient’s urine or Sterile Pyuria.
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
There are three methods of being diagnosed with tuberculosis, as listed below.
Mantoux Tuberculin Test(Skin Test)
Small amounts of protein derived from the bacterium are injected into the arm of the person. After 3 days, the person visits the testing booth to check for swelling at the injection site. This test may be needed more than once to rule out false negatives.
Blood Test
Here the patient’s blood in small amounts is allowed to react with TB proteins in Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs). A positive reaction indicates TB infections that are further confirmed with more tests.
Sputum Test
The person’s sputum is tested for the presence of M. tuberculosis with a simple staining technique and viewed under the microscope.
CT Scan or X-ray
This is done to check for infection signs in the respiratory system.
Treatment of Tuberculosis
Antibiotics are administered to patients kept in isolation for a while to be treated effectively and not pose a source of infection to healthy individuals. Visit Manipal Hospitals for Tuberculosis Treatment in Mysore.
One or more of the following drugs are prescribed for patients suffering from TB.
Rifampin
Isoniazid
Pyrazinamide
Ethambutol
Rifapentine
The drugs must be strictly taken for nine months, or the patient is a dangerous source of infection to others in society. The bacteria become resistant to the drugs if the treatment is not completed. Symptoms persisting after these nine months require a visit to the pulmonologist again. Drug-resistant TB requires 30 months of medication if required.
The BCG vaccine provides immunity against TB and is normally given to babies at birth to prevent any deaths from the deadly disease.
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