Can a persistent cough be a sign of tuberculosis (TB)? Let's talk about this.

Sometimes we have a cough that lasts for weeks, but we don't pay much attention to it, do we? We may think, "This is just a cough," but it could be a sign of something more serious. So, one disease that we definitely need to pay attention to is tuberculosis , or TB as we all know it. So today, let's talk about this disease in simple terms.

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

Simply put, tuberculosis is an infectious disease. It is caused by a bacterium called `(Mycobacterium tuberculosis)`. This disease mainly affects our lungs . However, sometimes this infection can spread to other parts of the body outside the lungs, for example, the brain, spine , and kidneys.

In the past, this disease killed a large number of people around the world. Even though there are advanced treatments today, it is still a significant health problem in countries like Sri Lanka. People with diseases like HIV /AIDS, or whose immune systems are weakened due to other reasons, are especially at risk of developing tuberculosis. This is because their bodies are less able to fight off this bacteria.

What are the main stages of tuberculosis?

When the tuberculosis germ enters the body, not everyone gets sick at once. There are different stages of this. Let's see what they are.

Do you also have these symptoms?

Latent TB does not cause any symptoms and can only be detected through a skin test or blood test.

However, symptoms of active TB appear.

Common symptoms in adults:

• Cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
• Coughing up blood with mucus
• Chest pain
• Weight loss and loss of appetite for no reason
• Constant fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Excessive sweating , especially at night
• Chills

Symptoms in young children and babies:

Symptoms in young children may be slightly different.

• Weight loss or lack of weight gain
• Persistent fever
• Decreased activity, feeling depressed all the time
• In babies, the "soft spot" on the top of the head is bulging.
• Frequent crying, difficulty eating or drinking milk

If you or your child has any of these symptoms, please do not ignore them and see a doctor immediately. Especially if there is chest pain, it could be an emergency and you should go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.

How is tuberculosis transmitted? And how is it not transmitted?

This is a problem that many people have. Tuberculosis is spread through the air , just like a cold or the flu.

Imagine, when a person with active tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, talks, or laughs, tiny droplets containing the germs from their respiratory tract enter the air. If a healthy person breathes in that air, they can also become infected with the disease.

That's why we say it's risky to spend too much time in the same room with someone with active tuberculosis, in a poorly ventilated area.

How is tuberculosis diagnosed?

When you see a doctor, he will first ask about your symptoms, examine you, and then order several tests to rule out tuberculosis.

1. Skin test (Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test): This involves injecting a very small amount of liquid under the skin of your arm. After 2-3 days, the area is checked for swelling. This test may be positive due to the BCG vaccine that is given to almost everyone in Sri Lanka at birth. Therefore, this alone cannot confirm the disease.

2. Blood test (IGRA Test): This is a special blood test called `(Interferon-Gamma Release Assays)`. This is not affected by the `BCG` vaccine.

3. Chest X-ray: If the above tests are positive, a chest X-ray is the next test. This can look for changes in the lungs if there is active tuberculosis.

4. Sputum Test: This is the best and most accurate way to confirm active TB. A few sputum samples taken in the morning are examined under a microscope to directly detect the presence of TB bacteria.

What are the treatments for tuberculosis?

Here's the best news: tuberculosis is completely curable!

For that, you need to take several antibiotics together for a long time.

• For latent TB: You will need to take medication for 3 months or more to prevent the disease from becoming active.
• For active TB: Several types of medication should be taken continuously for at least 6 months . The treatment period may be extended to 9-12 months depending on the condition of the disease.

Your doctor will often do blood tests to check for liver problems during treatment. If you experience any side effects from the medication (e.g., vision changes, yellowing of the skin, vomiting), tell your doctor right away without stopping the medication.

How can you protect yourself from tuberculosis?

• If you have active TB: Stay away from other people for the first few weeks after starting treatment. Sleep in a separate room. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wear a surgical mask if you go out in public. Keep windows open to ensure good ventilation.
• If you have latent TB: Take the medicine your doctor prescribes exactly as prescribed. This will prevent it from becoming active.
• BCG vaccine: Every baby in Sri Lanka is given the BCG vaccine at birth. This protects children from severe forms of tuberculosis (e.g. TB meningitis).

Tuberculosis, TB, Tuberculosis, Persistent cough, Blood with phlegm, Lung disease, Infectious disease