Tuberculosis (TB) is an
infectious disease that is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB primarily
affects the lungs, but it can also affect organs in the central nervous system,
lymphatic system, and circulatory system among others. The disease was called
"consumption" in the past because of the way it would consume from
within anyone who became infected.
When a person becomes infected with
tuberculosis, the bacteria in the lungs multiply and cause pneumonia along with chest pain, coughing up blood, and a
prolonged cough. In addition, lymph nodes near the heart and lungs become
enlarged. As the TB tries to spread to other parts of the body, it is often
interrupted by the body's immune system. The immune system forms scar tissue or
fibrosis around the TB bacteria, and this helps fight the infection and
prevents the disease from spreading throughout the body and to other people. If
the body's immune system is unable to fight TB or if the bacteria breaks
through the scar tissue, the disease returns to an active state with pneumonia
and damage to kidneys, bones, and the meninges that line the spinal cord and
brain.
TB is generally classified as being either latent or active. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are present in the body, but this state is inactive and presents no symptoms. Latent TB is also not contagious. Active TB is contagious and is the condition that can make you sick with symptoms.
TB is a major cause of illness and death worldwide, especially in Africa and Asia. Each year the disease kills almost 2 million people. The disease is also prevalent among people with HIV/AIDS.
TB is generally classified as being either latent or active. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are present in the body, but this state is inactive and presents no symptoms. Latent TB is also not contagious. Active TB is contagious and is the condition that can make you sick with symptoms.
TB is a major cause of illness and death worldwide, especially in Africa and Asia. Each year the disease kills almost 2 million people. The disease is also prevalent among people with HIV/AIDS.
What causes tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is ultimately caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis that
is spread from person to person through airborne particles. It is not
guaranteed, though, that you will become infected with TB if you inhale the
infected particles. Some people have strong enough immune systems that quickly
destroy the bacteria once they enter the body. Others will develop latent TB
infection and will carry the bacteria but will not be contagious and will not
present symptoms. Still others will become immediately sick and will also be
contagious.
What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?
Most people who become infected with the
bacteria that cause tuberculosis actually do not present symptoms of the
disease. However, when symptoms are present, they include unexplained weight
loss, tiredness, fatigue, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, chills, and a
loss of appetite. Symptoms specific to the lungs include
coughing that lasts for 3 or more weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain, and
pain with breathing or coughing.
How is tuberculosis diagnosed?
Tuberculosis
diagnosis usually occurs after a combination of skin, blood, and imaging tests.
Chest x-rays and computer tomography (CT) scans
are also used to diagnose TB. If the immune system traps the TB bacteria and
creates scar tissue, this tissue and the lymph nodes may harden like stone in a
calcification process. This results in granuloma (rounded marble-like scars)
that often appear on x-rays and CT scans. However, if these scars do not show
any evidence of calcium on an x-ray, they can be difficult to
distinguish from cancer.
Who gets tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through tiny droplets of
infected sputum that travel through the air. If an infected person coughs,
sneezes, shouts, or spits, bacteria can enter the air and come into contact
with uninfected people who breath the bacteria into their lungs.
Although anyone can become infected with TB, some people are at a higher risk, such as:
·
Those who live with others who
have active TB infections
·
Poor or homeless people
·
Foreign-born people who come
from countries with endemic TB
·
Older people, nursing home
residents, and prison inmates
·
Alcoholics and intravenous drug
users
·
Those who suffer from malnutrition
·
Diabetics, cancer patients, and
those with HIV/AIDS or other immune system problems
·
Health-care workers
·
Workers in refugee camps or
shelters
How is tuberculosis treated?
Treatment for TB depends on the whether the
disease is active of latent. If TB is in an inactive state, an antibiotic called
isoniazid (INH) is prescribed for six to twelve months. INH is not prescribed
to pregnant women, and it can cause side effects such as liver damage and
peripheral neuropathy.
Active TB is treated with INH as well as drugs such as rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. It is also not uncommon for TB patients to receive streptomycin if the disease is extensive. Drug therapies for TB may last many months or even years.
If a patient has a drug-resistant strain of TB, several drugs in addition to the main four are usually required. In addition, treatment is generally much longer and can require surgery to remove damaged lung tissue.
The largest barrier to successful treatment is that patients tend to stop taking their medicines because they begin to feel better. It is important to finish medications in order to completely eradicate the TB bacteria from the body.
In December 2012, Sirturo (bedaquiline) was approved as part of a combination therapy for adults with multi-drug resistant TB. According to the FDA, bedaquiline was the first TB drug to be approved in the USA in forty years.
Active TB is treated with INH as well as drugs such as rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. It is also not uncommon for TB patients to receive streptomycin if the disease is extensive. Drug therapies for TB may last many months or even years.
If a patient has a drug-resistant strain of TB, several drugs in addition to the main four are usually required. In addition, treatment is generally much longer and can require surgery to remove damaged lung tissue.
The largest barrier to successful treatment is that patients tend to stop taking their medicines because they begin to feel better. It is important to finish medications in order to completely eradicate the TB bacteria from the body.
In December 2012, Sirturo (bedaquiline) was approved as part of a combination therapy for adults with multi-drug resistant TB. According to the FDA, bedaquiline was the first TB drug to be approved in the USA in forty years.
How can tuberculosis be prevented?
There is a vaccine available for tuberculosis called the BCG vaccine that is used in several parts of the world where TB is common.This vaccine usually protects children and infants from the disease, but adults can still get TB after being vaccinated as children.
Better methods of preventing tuberculosis or TB relapses include eating a
healthful diet that takes care of your immune system, getting a TB test
regularly if you work or live in a high risk environment, and finishing TB
medications. To prevent transmitting the disease to others if you are infected,
stay home, cover your mouth, and ensure proper ventilation
Tuberculosis In INDIA
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in India. India accounts
for one-fifth of the global TB incident cases. Each year nearly 2 million
people in India develop TB, of which around 0.87 million are infectious cases. It
is estimated that annually around 330,000 Indians die due to TB.
To achieve and maintain at least 85% cure rate amongst New Smear
Positive (NSP) pulmonary TB cases.
To achieve and maintain at least 85% cure rate amongst New Smear
Positive (NSP) pulmonary TB cases. To achieve and maintain at least 70% detection of such cases.
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