Tuberculosis
is a contagious disease caused by a bacterium carried
through the air. People can carry the bacteria in their
body for years. For most of those people, the bacteria
remains dormant never causing a problem. In a small
percentage of people though, the bacteria begins to
multiply, developing into tuberculosis. It is at this
stage that the person begins to feel ill and can spread
the disease to others. The bacteria are spread when
the infected person sneezes or coughs. Usually, tuberculosis
affects the lungs but can attack other parts of the
body. Recently it has become a growing health concern
due to more people with weakened immune systems, increasing
resistance to antibiotics and extreme poverty in many
parts of the world.
What
are the symptoms of tuberculosis?
Symptoms of tuberculosis include:
-Cough
-Cold night sweats
-Loss of appetite
-Energy loss
-Weight loss
-Shortness of breath
-Chest pain
What
are the risk factors of tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person by droplets
in the air. People get it by exposure to other people with
tuberculosis. Although anyone can get TB, it is most often
seen in people who live or work in crowded conditions with
others at high risk. Such places include jails, hospitals
or communities with people from areas where there is a high
incidence of TB.
How
is the diagnosis of tuberculosis made?
Tuberculosis is often discovered by chest
x-ray or a positive tuberculin skin test. Your
physician with obtain a medical history and perform a physical
examination. Sputum
samples may demonstrate tuberculosis organisms.
Sometimes procedures such as bronchoscopy
are needed for diagnosis.
What
is the treatment for tuberculosis?
Standard treatment for tuberculosis is antibiotics. Tuberculosis
is slow to respond to the antibiotics so they are usually
taken for a period of six months or longer. If the medicines
are stopped sooner the disease tends to return.
