Tuberculosis (TB) - Causes, symptoms and more

Tuberculosis (TB) - Causes, symptoms and more

        Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease primarily affecting the lungs, although it can spread to other organs. It is caused by the bacterium ‘Mycobacterium tuberculosis'.

 Causes of Tuberculosis

1. Bacterial Infection: TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium spreads through the air when a person with active TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

2. Transmission: TB is spread through airborne droplets. It's more likely to spread in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces. It's important to note that not everyone infected with M. tuberculosis will develop active TB; some may have latent TB, where the bacteria remain dormant and do not cause symptoms.

3. Risk Factors:

   - Weakened Immune System: HIV/AIDS, diabetes, malnutrition, and certain medications can weaken the immune system, making it easier for TB bacteria to cause active disease.

  

 - Geographical Location: TB is more common in certain regions, including Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe.

   

- Living Conditions: Overcrowded or poorly ventilated living conditions increase the risk of spreading TB.

   

- Close Contact with Infected Individuals: Close and prolonged contact with someone who has active TB increases the risk of transmission.

 Symptoms of Tuberculosis

TB can be either latent or active. Latent TB means the bacteria are in the body but inactive, so there are no symptoms and it isn't contagious. Active TB means the bacteria are active and causing symptoms, and the disease is contagious.

1. Pulmonary Tuberculosis (Lungs):

   - Persistent Cough: A cough lasting more than three weeks is a common symptom. Initially, it may be dry, but it can become productive with phlegm or blood as the disease progresses.

   - Chest Pain: Discomfort or pain in the chest, especially when breathing or coughing.

   - Coughing Up Blood (Hemoptysis): In advanced stages, the cough may produce blood.

   - Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing as the disease progresses.

2. Systemic Symptoms:

   - Fever: Often low-grade, particularly in the evenings.

   - Night Sweats: Heavy sweating at night is a common symptom.

   - Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss due to loss of appetite.

   - Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or weakness.

   - Chills: Experiencing chills along with fever.

   - Loss of Appetite: Reduced desire to eat, contributing to weight loss.

3. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis:

   TB can affect organs other than the lungs, leading to different symptoms depending on the affected area:

   - Lymph Nodes: Swollen and painful lymph nodes, often in the neck.

   - Bones and Joints: Pain in the bones or joints; in the spine, it may lead to Pott's disease (spinal TB), which can cause deformity and nerve damage.

   - Kidneys: Blood in the urine or kidney pain.

   - Central Nervous System: Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), leading to headaches, confusion, and seizures.

   - Pleura (lining around the lungs): Pleurisy, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing.

 Diagnosis and Treatment

TB diagnosis typically involves:

- Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) or Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs): To test for TB infection.

- Chest X-ray or CT scan: To look for changes in the lungs.

- Sputum Test: To detect the presence of ‘M. tuberculosis' in the mucus from the lungs.

- Biopsy or Lumbar Puncture: In cases of extrapulmonary TB.

        Treatment involves a lengthy course (6-9 months) of multiple antibiotics, usually including isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Treatment adherence is crucial to prevent drug-resistant TB.