Tuberculosis

Sometimes the immune system cannot kill the bacteria, but manages to prevent it spreading in the body. This means you will not have any symptoms, but the bacteria will remain in your body. This is known as “latent TB”.  If the immune system fails to kill or contain the infection, it can spread within the lungs or other parts of the body and symptoms will develop within a few weeks or months. This is known as “active TB”. Latent TB could develop into an active TB infection at a later date, particularly if your immune system becomes weakened.

TB is curable and with proper medical treatment and with medication course it will not spread to others. TX Hospitals we have a best treatment for tuberculosis

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

MDR-TB, or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, is a type of TB that is resistant to the two most powerful first-line drugs used to treat the disease: isoniazid and rifampin. MDR-TB can develop when TB is not treated properly or when a person does not complete the full course of treatment for TB. This can allow the bacteria to mutate and become resistant to the drugs.

There are several factors that can contribute to the development of MDR-TB, including:

• Inadequate treatment: If TB is not treated properly or if a person does not take their medication as prescribed, the bacteria can become resistant to the drugs.
• Improper use of antibiotics: Overuse or improper use of antibiotics can lead to drug-resistant strains of TB.

• Lack of access to quality healthcare: In some parts of the world, access to quality healthcare and TB treatment may be limited, which can contribute to the development of MDR-TB.
• Close contact with a person who has MDR-TB: MDR-TB can be spread from person to person through the air. If a person is in close contact with someone who has MDR-TB, they may be more likely to develop the disease.
• Weakened immune system: People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or AIDS, are more susceptible to TB and may be more likely to develop MDR-TB.

It is important to note that MDR-TB is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that is difficult to treat. Prevention and early detection of TB are key in preventing the development of MDR-TB. If you think you may have been exposed to TB or if you have symptoms of the disease, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Tuberculosis Symptoms

Although your body can harbor the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, your immune system usually can prevent you from becoming sick. For this reason, doctors make a distinction between:

• Latent TB.You have a TB infection, but the bacteria in your body are inactive and cause no symptoms. Latent TB, also called inactive TB or TB infection, isn’t contagious. Latent TB can turn into active TB, so treatment is important.
• Active TB.Also called TB disease, this condition makes you sick and, in most cases, can spread to others. It can occur weeks or years after infection with the TB bacteria.

Signs and symptoms of active TB include

• Coughing for three or more weeks
• Coughing up blood or mucus
• Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Chills
• Loss of appetite

Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of your body, including the kidneys, spine or brain. When TB occurs outside your lungs, signs and symptoms vary according to the organs involved. For example, tuberculosis of the spine might cause back pain, and tuberculosis in your kidneys might cause blood in your urine.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have a fever, unexplained weight loss, drenching night sweats or a persistent cough. These are often indications of TB but can also result from other conditions. Also, see your doctor if you think you’ve been exposed to TB. Visit TX Hospital provides the best treatment for Tuberculosis in hyderabad.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who have an increased risk of tuberculosis be screened for latent TB infection. This recommendation includes people who:

• Have HIV/AIDS
• Use IV drugs
• Are in contact with infected people
• Are from a country where TB is common, such as several countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia
• Live or work in areas where TB is common, such as prisons or nursing homes
• Work in health care and treat people with a high risk of TB
• Are children who are exposed to adults at risk of TB

How important to seek medical advice

For a person who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), seeking medical advice and following the prescribed treatment plan is very important. TB is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease, but with early diagnosis and proper treatment, most people can make a full recovery.

Here are some reasons why seeking medical advice is important for TB patients

Accurate diagnosis: TB can be difficult to diagnose, and a proper diagnosis requires a thorough medical evaluation. A healthcare provider can perform tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan.

Proper treatment: TB requires a specific combination of antibiotics taken for several months. A healthcare provider can prescribe the appropriate medications and provide guidance on how to take them properly. Proper treatment is essential to ensure that the infection is completely cleared and to prevent the development of drug-resistant TB.

Monitoring for side effects: TB medications can have side effects, and a healthcare provider can monitor for any potential problems and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

Preventing the spread of TB: TB is highly contagious, and it is important to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease to others. A healthcare provider can provide guidance on how to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

Support and guidance: A healthcare provider can provide support and guidance throughout the treatment process, which can help improve outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.

In summary, seeking medical advice and following the prescribed treatment plan is essential for TB patients. If you have been diagnosed with TB or if you think you may have been exposed to the disease, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

 TREATMENT FOR TB

There are two kinds of screening tests for TB: the Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) and the blood test, called the interferon gamma release assay (IGRA). For the TST, a healthcare provider will inject a small amount of a substance called purified protein derivative (PPD) under the skin of your forearm. After two to three days, you must go back to the healthcare provider, who will look at the injection site.

For the IGRA, a healthcare provider will draw blood and send the sample to the lab. Further tests to determine if an infection is active or if your lungs are infected include:

• Lab tests on sputum and lung fluid.
• Chest X-ray.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans.

Tuberculosis vaccination

The BCG vaccine can provide effective protection against TB in up to 8 out of 10 people who are given it. Currently, BCG vaccinations are only recommended for groups of people who are at a higher risk of developing TB. This includes children living in areas with high rates of TB, or those who have close family members from countries with high TB rates, and people under the age of 16 who are going to live and work with local people in an area with high rates of TB for more than three months.

It’s also recommended that some people, such as healthcare workers, are vaccinated because of the increased risk of contracting TB while working.