Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.

Causes and Risk Factors

• TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• Risk factors for developing TB include close contact with someone who has active TB, a weakened immune system, and certain medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and cancer.
• People who are malnourished, have a history of smoking, or have been infected with TB in the past are also at increased risk.

Symptoms

• Common symptoms of active TB include coughing, chest pain, and coughing up blood or mucus.
• Other symptoms may include fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue.
• Some people with latent TB infection (LTBI) may not exhibit any symptoms at all.

Types of Tuberculosis

• Pulmonary TB: affects the lungs and is the most common form of TB.
• Extrapulmonary TB: affects other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, or brain.
• Miliary TB: a rare and severe form of TB that affects multiple parts of the body.
• Llatent TB infection (LTBI): a condition in which the bacteria are present in the body but do not cause symptoms.

Diagnosis

• TB is typically diagnosed through a combination of tests, including:
• Chest X-ray: to look for signs of lung damage or scarring.
• Sputum test: to collect and examine mucus from the lungs for TB bacteria.
• Tuberculin skin test (TST): to measure the body's immune response to TB bacteria.
• Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA): a blood test that measures the body's immune response to TB bacteria.

Treatment

• Active TB is typically treated with a combination of antibiotics, including:
• Isoniazid (INH)
• Rifampin (RIF)
• Pyrazinamide (PZA)
• Ethambutol (EMB)
• Treatment typically lasts for 6-9 months.
• LTBI is typically treated with a single antibiotic, such as INH, for 3-9 months.

Prevention and Control

• Vaccination: the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used in some countries to prevent TB.
• Infection control measures, such as wearing masks and isolating infected individuals, can help prevent the spread of TB.
• Early detection and treatment of active TB can also help prevent the spread of the disease.

Complications

• If left untreated, TB can lead to serious complications, including:
• Lung damage: scarring and damage to lung tissue.
• Spread of infection: to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys or brain.
• Respiratory failure: in severe cases, TB can cause respiratory failure, which can be life-threatening.

Epidemiology

• TB is a major public health concern worldwide, with an estimated 10 million new cases and 1.5 million deaths annually.
• The disease is most prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa and Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

How is TB spread?
TB is typically spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

What are the symptoms of TB?
Symptoms may include coughing, chest pain, coughing up blood, fatigue, weight loss, and night sweats.

Can TB be cured?
Most cases of TB can be cured with proper treatment, usually a combination of antibiotics.

How long does TB treatment typically last?
Treatment for TB typically lasts at least 6 months, but may be longer in some cases.

Is TB contagious?
Active TB is contagious, but latent TB is not.

What is the difference between active and latent TB?
Active TB is when the bacteria are growing and causing symptoms, while latent TB is when the bacteria are present but not growing or causing symptoms.

Can anyone get TB?
Yes, anyone can get TB, but some people are more at risk, such as those with weakened immune systems.

How is TB diagnosed?
TB is typically diagnosed with a combination of tests, including chest X-rays, sputum tests, and blood tests.

Can TB be prevented?
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent TB, the risk can be reduced by avoiding close contact with infected people and getting vaccinated with the BCG vaccine in some cases.