What is Tuberculosis?                                                                     

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, bacteria that attacks the lungs and also affects other body parts like the brain and spine.

TB is a serious contagious infection. There are two types of TB infection.

• Latent TB

In this condition, germs reside in the body but don’t produce any symptoms and a person isn’t contagious. The infection is alive in the body and can reactivate any time. This is treated by antibiotics so that the risk of developing active TB is lowered.

• Active TB

In this condition, germs multiply and infection occurs making you sick and you also become contagious and can spread the disease.

 Symptoms

Symptoms of active TB disease include

• Persistent cough that lasts three weeks or more.
• Blood in cough
• Chest pains
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Night sweating

TB can affect your other body parts too. When TB occurs in the spine, it gives back pain and when it occurs in the kidney, it may cause blood in the urine.

Who is at risk?

Some people have increased risks for TB

• People with HIV/AIDS
• Intravenous drug users
• Were in contact with infected individuals
• Live and work in an environment where TB is prevalent
• Healthcare workers treating patients with TB

Prevention and Treatment

If someone tests positive for latent TB, he is advised to take a course of medications to prevent the risk of developing active TB infection. Countries where TB is common, BSG vaccine is given to children to prevent severe TB. Consult the best pulm