TB (Tuberculosis) Causes Symptoms Treatment and More
Are you feeling exhausted all day, experiencing chest pain, or noticing unexpected weight loss? These can be warning signs of TB. It’s a deadly disease that needs immediate treatment. In fact, the World Health Organisation reported that in 2023, Tuberculosis caused 1.25 million deaths across the globe. We are here to help you learn everything about this deadly disease, including signs of tuberculosis, treatment, and prevention tips. Let’s delve into the blog.
What Is TB?
Tuberculosis is caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When a person inhales these germs, they settle in the lungs and start growing. From there, these germs move to other body organs, like the kidney, spine, and brain, causing the disease.
TB is so serious that governments are proactively taking measures to prevent it. For instance, the Maharashtra government launched a new drug regime, 1HP, to prevent this disease.
Types of TB
There are 4 different types of tuberculosis that have unique characteristics accordingly. Then, we will discuss the tuberculosis causes.
1- Primary Tuberculosis
This is the first stage of tuberculosis, and your system may be able to fight it off. However, sometimes, your immunity may not be enough to destroy all germs as they keep multiplying.
Latent Tuberculosis
Sometimes, an individual is infected with TB but doesn’t experience any signs because the immune system suppresses it. This is called latent or inactive tuberculosis.
Active Tuberculosis
Active tuberculosis means when you fall sick due to germs, and you can spread it to others. Most of the active cases in adults come from a latent tuberculosis infection.
Active Tuberculosis Outside the Lungs
It’s when tuberculosis germs spread from the lungs to other body parts. It’s also known as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Warning Signs of Tuberculosis
We have learned the types of tuberculosis; it’s time to check out the signs of tuberculosis so you can quickly detect it and visit a doctor for TB treatment. The signs include:
- A cough lasting for more than 3 weeks
- Chest pain
- Coughing blood
- Feeling extremely tired all the time without doing something
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Fever
- Loss of Appetite
- Unexpected weight loss
Risk Factors of TB
We discussed the germ that causes TB. If you think there might be other tuberculosis causes, you should learn about its risk factors.
- Residing or working in places where tuberculosis can spread, like jails, nursing facilities, shelters, etc.
- Physical or close contact with someone who is infected with tuberculosis.
- Using intravenous drugs
- A weak immune system
- Kidney disease, diabetes, or other chronic illness
- Organ transplant
- Chemotherapy treatment for cancer
TB Treatments
A tuberculosis skin or blood test can help determine whether you are infected with this disease. If you are, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat you, which can take 6 to 9 months. The TB treatment will differ depending on the type of tuberculosis.
- If you have latent tuberculosis, you might receive isoniazid, rifampin, or rifapentine individually or in combination. These medications kill germs. You are likely to take the drugs for 3 months.
- An active tuberculosis is treated with ethambutol, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and rifampin. The doctor might ask you to take these medications in combination for 6 to 12 months.
- If you have drug-resistant tuberculosis, then the doctor might suggest an additional medicine. Some medicines for drug-resistant TB are Bedaquiline, Linezolid, and Fluoroquinolones.
Tips to Prevent Tuberculosis
Though you have learned about TB treatment, it’s always good to follow prevention tips. Learn these tips here.
- Avoid close contact with people diseased with tuberculosis.
- If you are diseased with tuberculosis, wash your hands and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Eat a nutritious diet and exercise regularly.
- Follow the entire treatment.
- Avoid travelling to areas where the risk of tuberculosis is high.
TB is an age-old disease that still kills a lot of people every year. State governments are proactively making efforts to suppress this disease. The World Health Organisation also introduced a new framework to reduce TB. It’s time for us to learn about tuberculosis causes, signs, treatment, etc., and take adequate measures to avoid it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1- Can TB be cured permanently?
Yes, if you properly follow the treatment protocol and take precautions, you can eliminate TB for good.
2- Is TB a lifetime disease?
Tuberculosis infection is not life-long in most people.
3- Can TB go away naturally?
Yes, tuberculosis can go away on its own, but without proper treatment, it will come back again and again.
4- What vaccine is for TB?
Becille Calmete-Guerin is an effective vaccine against tuberculosis.
5- Who has a high risk of TB?
If someone is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV infection, they have a high risk of getting TB.
