When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis (TB), a contagious infection that primarily affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other parts of the body (extrapulmonary TB).
Transmission
- When an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or speaks, the disease is transferred through the air.
- Prolonged and close contact with an infected person raises the possibility of transmission.
Symptoms of TB
1. Pulmonary TB (Lung TB)
- Persistent Cough: Lung TB, also known as pulmonary TB, causes persistent coughing that lasts longer than three weeks and occasionally produces blood or sputum.
- Chest Pain: Experiencing pain while deep breathing or coughing is possible.
- Weakness and Fatigue: A persistent, fatigued or weak feeling that typically lasts during rest.
- Unintentional Weight Loss: Can occasionally be substantial.
- Fever: Usually not severe, however, it can occasionally last for a long time and cause nocturnal sweats.
- Loss of Appetite: A decreased inclination to eat, which eventually results in weight loss.
- Breathlessness: Particularly as the illness worsens and impairs lung function.
- Weakness or Numbness: TB patients may experience neurological symptoms affecting the brain or spine.
- Urinary Symptoms: Symptoms related to the urinary tract, such as pain or discomfort if TB affects it.
2. Extrapulmonary TB (Outside the Lungs)
- Swollen Lymph Nodes: They can appear in various places of the body but are typically found in the neck.
- Pain in Affected Area: The location of pain in the affected area (such as the brain, kidneys, joints, or bones) varies.
- Headaches: Particularly when tuberculosis (TB) meningitis affects the brain.
- Abdominal Pain: If TB affects the gastrointestinal system, abdominal pain may result.
- Back Pain: Spinal TB (Pott’s disease) frequently causes back pain.
- Weakness or Numbness: TB patients may experience neurological symptoms affecting the brain or spine.
- Urinary Symptoms: Symptoms related to the urinary tract, such as pain or discomfort if TB affects it.
3. Symptoms in General
- Malaise: A general feeling of discomfort or disease.
- Chills: More so when feverish.
- Night Sweats: Heavy sweating while you sleep, frequently soaking the sheets.
It is noteworthy that symptoms, particularly in the early stages of tuberculosis infection, might appear gradually and may not necessarily be severe or specific. It is imperative that you or someone you know seek medical assistance for appropriate examination and testing if you or they have any of these symptoms, especially if they last longer than a few weeks. Patients with tuberculosis can greatly benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis
- Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) or Mantoux Test: The Mantoux Test, also known as the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), ascertains whether an individual is TB-positive.
- IGRAs (Interferon-Gamma Release Assays): Blood tests used to identify tuberculosis infection.
- Chest X-ray and Sputum Microscopy: Pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis using sputum microscopy and chest X-ray.
- Culture and Molecular Tests: Determine medication resistance and confirm the existence of tuberculosis bacteria using molecular testing and culture.
Treatment
Standard Regimen Drugs, or First-Line Drugs
- Isoniazid (INH): Usually administered once a day or multiple times per week.
- Rifampicin (RIF): Additionally given daily or multiple times each week.
- Pyrazinamide (PZA): Frequently part of the first stage of therapy.
- Ethambutol (EMB): Initially used until results about drug susceptibility are obtained.
Duration
- Phase I: Uses a combination of INH, RIF, PZA, and potentially EMB for two months.
- Phase of Continuation: Commences after the first phase and continues for four to seven months with INH and RIF.
DOT, or Directly Observed Therapy
- Makes sure patients take their prescriptions under supervision in order to improve compliance and lower the risk of drug resistance.
- Frequently employed to track treatment progress in tuberculosis control programs.
Observation and Assistance
- Regular Monitoring: Frequent monitoring entails sputum testing, clinical evaluations, and occasionally imaging investigations (such as chest X-rays).
- Controlling Adverse Reactions: Liver toxicity (particularly with INH and RIF), gastrointestinal problems, and neurological symptoms are common side effects.
- Nutritional Support: Getting enough food can help patients get better results from treatment.
Treatment Finalization and Follow-Up
- Completion: In order to avoid drug resistance and recurrence, patients must complete their whole course of treatment.
- Follow-Up: To keep an eye out for recurrences, it is advised to schedule recurring follow-up visits after treatment.
Public Health Interventions
- Contact Tracing: To stop the spread of TB, contact tracing involves locating and testing people who have had frequent contact with TB patients.
- Controlling Infections: Maintaining adequate ventilation in medical facilities and spreading awareness of tuberculosis prevention.
Prevention
- BCG Vaccine: Provides varying degrees of protection against severe pediatric tuberculosis.
- Infection Control Measures: Measures to prevent infections include wearing masks, isolating contagious people, and providing adequate ventilation.
Global Impact
- TB is still a significant global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.
- Difficulties include co-infection with HIV/AIDS and medication resistance (both extensively and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis).
Conclusion
In conclusion, because of its infectious nature and effects on the pulmonary and extrapulmonary systems, tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a serious threat to global health. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the cause, and the main ways that it spreads via the air are by speaking, sneezing, or coughing. A chronic cough, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, fever, and, in cases when the illness extends outside the lungs, symptoms unique to the impacted organs or systems are just a few of the many possible symptoms.
Tests including the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), sputum microscopy, chest X-rays, and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are used in diagnosis, while first-line antibiotics like isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol are usually used in combination for therapy. The length of treatment is divided into two phases: an intensive beginning phase and a continuation phase. Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) is frequently used to support the continuation phase and track progress.
In order to reduce transmission, preventive interventions include contact tracing, infection control procedures, and immunization (BCG). In spite of international efforts, problems like medication resistance and co-infections with HIV/AIDS continue to exist, requiring continued research and public health initiatives to effectively reduce tuberculosis globally. Improving results and lowering transmission rates depend on early diagnosis and treatment completion.
