Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that affects, in most cases, the lungs. Although it had become a rare disease in developed countries, tuberculosis has become a public health problem again in recent decades, with the spread of HIV, a virus that affects immunity and exposes the body to infections. In Romania, tuberculosis has always been a disease that affected a large number of people. And currently the prevalence of the disease is high compared to the European average [1]. Tuberculosis therefore remains a threat, especially in the context of the development of antibiotic resistance. In the following lines, we present everything you need to know about this disease.
How does tuberculosis occur?
Tuberculosis is an infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, also known as Kock’s bacillus, after its discoverer. About tuberculosis, causes, symptoms and treatment much information is known. Transmission is by air. Tiny droplets of fluid released into the air by an infected person reach the respiratory system of nearby people through inhalation. Infected people can transmit the bacteria by:
- speaking;
- sung;
- cough;
- sneeze.
People with a strong immune system may not show symptoms of tuberculosis, even if they have contracted the bacteria. In this case we are talking about latent tuberculosis, which is not contagious. However, in a moment of weakness of the body, the latent form of the disease can become active. [3]
Symptoms of tuberculosis
The manifestations of tuberculosis vary depending on the affected area and develop several weeks, months and sometimes even years after infection. If your lungs are affected, you can feel it [2, 3]:
- cough that persists for more than 3 weeks;
- chest pains;
- cough up sputum or blood.
The general symptoms of tuberculosis are:
- weakness;
- unexplained fatigue;
- fever;
- chills;
- night sweats;
- loss of appetite;
- weight loss.
Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine and brain, causing [2]:
- kidney damage and bloody urination;
- spine and joint pain, muscle spasms and stiffness;
- nausea, vomiting, confusion and loss of consciousness.
Risk factors
Weakened immune system
When the immune system is strong, the body is able to remove the bacteria before it can multiply. However, certain medical conditions affect the body’s ability to defend itself. Among them are [3]:
- HIV/AIDS infection;
- diabetes;
- severe renal impairment;
- cancer;
- certain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy;
- certain medicines used to treat Chron’s disease, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis;
- malnutrition and low body mass;
- young or old age.
Travel to high incidence countries
The risk of contracting tuberculosis is higher if you live in or travel to countries with [3]:
- Asia;
- Africa;
- Eastern Europe;
- Russia;
- Latin america.
Other factors
Other factors favoring the disease are: [3]:
- drug or alcohol use;
- smoking;
- living with a person with tuberculosis;
- working in hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, prisons.
Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is diagnosed by physical examination, tuberculin skin test, blood or sputum tests, and imaging investigations.
Because it is a bacterial infection, tuberculosis is treated with antibiotics. They are administered over a long period of at least 6 months. In general, after 14 days of treatment, patients feel better and the disease is no longer contagious [2, 3]. However, in some cases, improvement in the patient’s condition may occur many weeks after starting treatment. If you have tuberculosis, it is important to follow the treatment until the end, even if you feel well.
Otherwise, antibiotic resistance may occur. As with strains of tuberculosis resistant to commonly used antibiotics, stronger drugs are given over a period of 9-24 months. [2, 3]
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that can have serious health consequences. If you have specific symptoms of the disease, go to the doctor and follow the treatment prescribed by him!
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