- How the treatment is done
- Tuberculosis has a cure
- Main symptoms of tuberculosis
- How the diagnosis is made
- Tuberculosis transmission
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis , popularly known as Koch's bacillus, which enters the body through the upper airways and lodges in the lung or other parts of the body, characterizing extrapulmonary tuberculosis .
Thus, depending on where the bacteria is located, tuberculosis can be classified into:
- Pulmonary tuberculosis: It is the most common form of the disease and occurs due to the entry of the bacillus into the upper respiratory tract and accommodation in the lungs. This type of tuberculosis is characterized by dry and constant coughing with or without blood, coughing being the main form of contagion, since the droplets of saliva released through the cough contain Koch's bacilli, which can infect other people. Miliary tuberculosis: It is one of the most serious forms of tuberculosis and occurs when the bacillus enters the bloodstream and reaches all organs, with a risk of meningitis. In addition to the lung being severely affected, other organs can also be affected. Bone tuberculosis: Although not very common, it occurs when the bacillus is able to penetrate and develop in the bones, which can cause pain and inflammation, which is not always initially diagnosed and treated as tuberculosis; Ganglionic tuberculosis: It is caused by the entry of the bacillus into the lymphatic system, which may affect the ganglia of the chest, groin, abdomen or, more often, the neck. This type of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is not contagious and can be cured when treated correctly. Understand what ganglion tuberculosis is, symptoms, contagion and how treatment is done. Pleural tuberculosis: It occurs when the bacillus affects the pleura, tissue that lines the lungs, causing intense difficulty in breathing. This type of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is not contagious, however it can be acquired by contacting a person with pulmonary tuberculosis or an evolution of pulmonary tuberculosis.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for tuberculosis is free, so if a person suspects that he or she has the disease, he or she should seek the hospital or health clinic immediately. Treatment consists of the use of tuberculostatic drugs for about 6 months in a row or according to the pulmonologist's guidance. In general, the treatment regimen indicated for tuberculosis is the combination of Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol.
In the first 15 days of treatment, the person must be isolated, as he can still transmit the tuberculosis bacillus to other people. After that period you can go back to your normal routine and continue using the medications. Understand how tuberculosis is treated.
Tuberculosis has a cure
Tuberculosis is curable when the treatment is done correctly in accordance with the doctor's recommendations. The treatment time is around 6 consecutive months, which means that even if the symptoms disappear in 1 week, the person must continue taking the medication until the 6 months are complete. If this does not happen, it may be that the tuberculosis bacillus is not eliminated from the body and the disease is not cured, in addition, there may be bacterial resistance, which makes treatment more difficult.
Main symptoms of tuberculosis
The main symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis are dry and persistent cough with or without blood, weight loss, loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. In the case of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, there may be loss of appetite, prostration, night sweat and fever. In addition, signs and symptoms may appear at the site where the bacillus is installed. See what are the 6 main symptoms of tuberculosis.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis can be made by performing a chest x-ray and examining the sputum with a search for the tuberculosis bacillus, also called a BAAR (Bacillus Alcohol-Acid Resistant). To diagnose extrapulmonary tuberculosis, biopsy of the affected tissue is recommended. A tuberculin skin test can also be performed, also known as the Mantoux test or PPD, which is negative in 1/3 of the patients. Understand how PPD is made.
Tuberculosis transmission
The transmission of tuberculosis can happen through the air, from person to person through the inspiration of infected droplets released through coughing, sneezing or speaking. Transmission can only happen if there is pulmonary involvement and up to 15 days after starting treatment.
People who have an immune system compromised by disease or due to age, who smoke and / or use drugs are more likely to be infected with the tuberculosis bacillus and develop the disease.
Prevention of the most severe forms of tuberculosis can be done through the BCG vaccine in childhood. In addition, it is recommended to avoid closed, poorly ventilated places with little or no sun exposure, but it is essential to stay away from people diagnosed with tuberculosis. See how TB transmission occurs and how to prevent it.
