When you hear the word tuberculosis, you might be a little scared, right? You might think things like, "Oh, will I get it too?" or "Isn't this a dangerous disease?" But when you know exactly what this disease is, how it develops, and what we can do about it, that fear will be greatly reduced. Today, let's talk about tuberculosis, or `(Tuberculosis – TB)`, simply, in a way that you can understand very well.
What is Tuberculosis? Simply put...
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacterial infection . To be precise, a small bacterial organism called `(Mycobacterium tuberculosis)` is responsible for this. It most often affects our lungs . However, sometimes it can also affect other important parts of the body, such as our spine, brain, and kidneys.
Does everyone develop symptoms of tuberculosis? Latent and Active TB
Here's a very important thing. Not everyone who gets the tuberculosis bacteria will develop symptoms. Isn't that surprising?
- Latent TB: Some people can have this bacteria inside their bodies and remain healthy without any symptoms. We call this 'latent TB'. Think of it like an enemy sleeping inside your body. If your immune system is strong , it can control this bacteria and keep it dormant. This way, some people can remain symptom-free for the rest of their lives. It is estimated that about 13 million people in the United States live with this type of 'Latent TB'.
- Active TB: But... if your immune system is weakened in some way – perhaps due to another illness, a medication you take, or simply because you're getting older – those dormant bacteria can wake up and become active. That's when the disease becomes 'active TB'. That's when symptoms appear.
What are the symptoms of active TB?
Now let's look at the symptoms of someone with active tuberculosis. If you have one or more of these, is it a good idea to seek medical advice?
- A severe cough that lasts for more than two weeks: This is one of the main symptoms.
- Chest pain: You may feel a pain in your chest when you breathe or cough.
- Coughing up phlegm or blood: If you cough up phlegm (sputum/mucus) along with a little blood, that is also something to pay attention to.
- Feeling very tired and lifeless (Fatigue/Weakness): You may feel so tired that you cannot do anything.
- Loss of appetite: You may lose all desire to eat.
- Weight loss: If you lose weight unexpectedly.
- Chills and Fever: Not just any fever, but a fever that brings on chills.
- Night sweats: You may sweat so much while sleeping that your bed sheets get wet.
Remember: You may have latent TB, which means you may not show any symptoms. But if you take a TB test, it may be positive.
What causes tuberculosis?
As I said before, the cause of this is a bacteria called `(Mycobacterium tuberculosis)`. This germ is spread through the air . When a person with tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, talks, sings, or laughs, these germs are released into the air, and when we breathe that air, they can go into our lungs. Sometimes, the bacteria that enter the body in this way can also go to other parts of the body.
Are there different types of tuberculosis?
Yes, the main and most common type of tuberculosis is tuberculosis that affects the lungs. We call it Pulmonary Tuberculosis .
However, this bacteria can also affect other parts of the body. We call this extrapulmonary tuberculosis .
You may also have heard of a disease called Miliary Tuberculosis . It spreads throughout the body and can cause serious conditions like:
- Inflammation of the brain lining - We call this `(Meningitis)`.
- Spinal Tuberculosis - This is called `(Pott's disease)` or `(Spinal Tuberculosis)`.
- Addison's disease, a condition related to the adrenal glands.
- Hepatitis.
- Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck - This is called `(Scrofula)`.
How is tuberculosis transmitted?
This is something we need to know for sure. Tuberculosis is spread when someone with active lung TB coughs, sneezes, talks, sings, or laughs. Most importantly, it is spread only by people who have an active infection in their lungs .
Generally, to catch this disease, you have to be in close contact with someone who has the disease for a long time . It's not easy to catch it from someone you just meet on the street.
Most people who inhale the TB bacteria have the ability to fight the bacteria and stop it from growing. That's when the latent TB I mentioned earlier occurs.
Who is at higher risk of exposure to tuberculosis?
Some people are more likely to be exposed to the tuberculosis germ. Let's look at who they are:
- Tuberculosis can easily spread to people living or working in crowded places, such as prisons, nursing homes, senior citizens' homes, health care centers, and shelters.
- For those who work in microbiology laboratories (Mycobacteriology laboratory).
- For those who have lived in or traveled to areas where tuberculosis is common, such as Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia.
- For those who have been in close contact with someone known or suspected to have tuberculosis.
Who is at higher risk of developing latent TB or active TB?
The following people are at higher risk of latent tuberculosis becoming active TB:
- For those who inject intravenous drugs.
- For those with weakened immune systems. For example, babies, young children, people with HIV, and people taking medications that suppress the immune system.
- For those with chronic diseases such as kidney disease and diabetes mellitus.
- For those who have had an organ transplant.
- For those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
How do doctors diagnose tuberculosis?
If you suspect you have tuberculosis, when you see a doctor, they may do the following tests:
- Skin test or blood test: This is the primary way to check if you have been exposed to the tuberculosis bacteria.
- Lab tests on sputum and lung fluid: A sample of your sputum is taken and checked for bacteria.
- Chest X-ray: To see if there are any changes in the lungs.
- CT scans: Sometimes this helps to get a clearer picture than an X-ray.
How is tuberculosis treated? Can it be cured?
Yes! Tuberculosis is definitely a curable disease! But it needs to be treated properly.
Doctors treat both active and latent TB with specific types of antibiotics . To completely clear up the infection, you will need to take several types of medication at the same time.
Very important: You need to take this medicine for a long time – at least six to nine months . It is extremely important to finish the entire course of medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, without missing a single day. Only then will you be able to completely eliminate this bacteria from your body.
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What happens if you don't take the medicine properly or stop taking it halfway? The disease can come back. What's even more dangerous is that the bacteria can change to become resistant to the medicine (drug resistance). If that happens, it becomes very difficult to treat.
Medicines for tuberculosis
Here are some types of medications your doctor may prescribe:
- `(Isoniazid)`
- `(Rifampin)`
- `(Ethambutol)`
- `(Pyrazinamide)`
- `(Rifapentine)`
(These are the types of medications that are usually prescribed. The doctor will assess your condition and prescribe the most appropriate combination of medications and dosage.)
How long does it take to heal?
After a few weeks of starting the medication, you will feel a little better, and your symptoms will start to subside. Your cough will subside, and your appetite will increase. But don't stop taking the medication just because you feel better! The entire treatment period will take between 6 and 9 months. You need to take the medication properly throughout that time.
When should I see a doctor?
- If you think you may have been exposed to tuberculosis, see a doctor immediately.
- If you develop symptoms of tuberculosis (cough, fever, weight loss), be sure to get tested, as you could spread it to someone else.
- If you are taking medication for tuberculosis and you feel like you are having any side effects from the medication (e.g., yellowing of the eyes, body aches, nausea), tell your doctor about that as well.
What can we do to prevent the development and spread of tuberculosis?
This is very important. We can all contribute to this.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It is also important to avoid coughing or sneezing in front of others when outdoors.
- If you have symptoms of tuberculosis, minimize close contact with other people as much as possible.
- If you are being treated for tuberculosis, take all the prescribed medications exactly and for the prescribed period.
- If you have active tuberculosis, do not return to work or school until your doctor gives you permission.
In hospitals, the most important things to stop the spread of tuberculosis are proper ventilation and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (such as masks) by medical staff.
Is there a vaccine for tuberculosis?
Yes, there is a vaccine called `(BCG - Bacillus Calmette-Guerin)`. Some countries (it is not widely used in countries like America, but it is used in countries like Sri Lanka) use it. Especially in countries where tuberculosis is common, this vaccine is given to young children to protect them from the serious forms of the disease.
How common is tuberculosis?
According to the World Health Organization, in 2020, about 10 million people worldwide were infected with tuberculosis, and about 1.5 million died. At one time, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in the United States. However, with the introduction of new treatments, the number of these patients decreased rapidly in the 1940s and 1950s. Tuberculosis is also a significant health problem in Sri Lanka.
But remember, tuberculosis is a curable disease if you follow medical advice and take the right medication.
Finally, things you need to remember (Take-Home Message)
So, I hope you'll be able to remember some of the most important points from what we've talked about today about tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is not something to be afraid of, but it is not something to be taken lightly either.
- If you have symptoms like a cough that lasts for more than two weeks , fever, night sweats, and weight loss, be sure to see a doctor.
- If you have been in close contact with a person with tuberculosis, tell the doctor.
- There is treatment for tuberculosis, and if the treatment is done correctly and for the prescribed period, it can be completely cured.
- Even if you feel a little better when you start taking the medication, do not stop taking it until your doctor tells you to.
- The most important thing is to think about your own health and the health of those around you and act responsibly.
If you have any further questions about this, don't hesitate to ask your family doctor or the nearest government health center. Stay healthy!
` Tuberculosis, TB, cough, lungs, infection, treatment, symptoms
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