Tuberculosis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Tuberculosis is a potentially serious infectious disease. This disease can occur in various organs of the body but often attacks the lungs.
The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are passed from one person to another through tiny airborne droplets released through coughs and sneezes. People with active tuberculosis are generally recommended to take several types of antibiotics for several months. The goal is to eradicate the infection and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.
Tuberculosis Symptom
Although the body can harbor the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, the body’s immune system can generally prevent a person from getting sick. Therefore, doctors generally distinguish between latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis.
In latent tuberculosis, a person has a tuberculosis infection, but the bacteria remain in the body in an inactive state and experience no symptoms. Latent tuberculosis, which is also known as inactive tuberculosis or tuberculosis infection, is not a contagious condition. However, this condition can turn into active tuberculosis, which makes treatment important for individuals with this condition, as well as to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.
In active tuberculosis, individuals show signs and symptoms and can transmit germs in their bodies. This condition can occur after several weeks of infection with tuberculosis bacteria, or years later.
Signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis are:
- Coughing that lasts three weeks or more
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain, or pain that occurs when breathing or coughing
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- shivers
- Decreased appetite
Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of the body, including the kidneys, spine or brain. When tuberculosis occurs in the lungs, signs and symptoms may vary according to the organs involved. For example, tuberculosis of the spine can cause back pain, and tuberculosis of the kidneys can cause blood in the urine.
Tuberculosis Reason
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that can be transmitted from one person to another through droplets in the air. This can happen when someone with active and untreated tuberculosis coughs or sneezes, and when that person laughs, spits, sings, and so on.
Everyone can be infected with tuberculosis. However, there are several risk factors that increase the possibility of transmission, including:
- Low immune system, as experienced by individuals with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, certain types of cancer, undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, malnutrition, and so on
- Use of illegal drugs
- Tobacco use
- Lack of access to health
- Congested or poorly ventilated living locations
- Travel to places with a high incidence of tuberculosis
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of tuberculosis can be made based on medical interviews, physical examinations, and certain supporting examinations. Some of the supporting examinations that can be carried out are sputum, blood, chest X-ray photos with X-rays, as well as several other types of examinations.
Tuberculosis Treatment
People diagnosed with active tuberculosis are generally advised to take a combination of medications for six months or more. The duration of drug consumption depends on various things, including the location of the infection, previous history of tuberculosis, and so on.
If the duration of treatment is not adhered to, there is a possibility that the tuberculosis infection may recur. Doctors generally prescribe a combination of several medications for active tuberculosis.
Drugs consumed by individuals with active tuberculosis can sometimes cause several side effects, including decreased appetite, changes in urine color, numbness or tingling, nausea and vomiting, yellow skin, or abdominal pain. If someone experiences side effects from medication, it is highly recommended to consult with the treating doctor for further evaluation.
Prevention
Most people living in high-risk areas will get the BCG vaccination as a child. This vaccination can protect against the transmission of several types of bacteria that cause tuberculosis.
The presence of tuberculosis bacteria in the body does not mean that a person will experience signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis. In individuals who are infected and do not show signs and symptoms, it is possible that the individual has latent tuberculosis. Doctors may recommend treatment for tuberculosis with special considerations for these conditions.
People with active tuberculosis are advised to avoid crowded places for the first few weeks of treatment until they are no longer contagious. In addition, people with active tuberculosis are also advised to wear masks to prevent particles containing tuberculosis bacteria from spreading through the air.