🫁 Tuberculosis (TB): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

⚕️ What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis, commonly called TB, is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other parts of the body such as the kidneys, spine, or brain.

TB spreads through the air when a person with active lung TB coughs, sneezes, or even talks. If not treated properly, TB can be life-threatening.

🔎 Symptoms of Tuberculosis

TB develops slowly, and symptoms may not appear right away. Common signs include:

😮‍💨 Persistent cough lasting more than 3 weeks
🩸 Coughing up blood or mucus
🌡️ Fever and night sweats
😴 Constant tiredness and weakness
⚖️ Unexplained weight loss
😶 Loss of appetite
🤕 Chest pain while breathing or coughing

⚠️ Types of TB

Latent TB:
- The bacteria are in the body but inactive.
- No symptoms, not contagious.
- Can become active later.
Active TB:
- The bacteria are active and multiplying.
- Causes symptoms.
- Highly contagious.

🩺 Causes & Risk Factors

TB risk increases if:

🛡️ Immune system is weak (HIV/AIDS patients, chemotherapy)
🧑‍⚕️ Living or working in high TB-risk areas (hospitals, prisons)
🚬 Smoking or substance abuse
🍲 Malnutrition or poor living conditions
👪 Close contact with a person who has active TB

🧪 Diagnosis of TB

Doctors may use several tests:

💉 Tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test)
🧪 Blood tests (Interferon-gamma release assays)
🫁 Chest X-ray to detect lung damage
🔬 Sputum test to find TB bacteria

💊 Treatment of TB

TB can be cured with proper medication. Treatment usually lasts 6–9 months and includes:

Antibiotics such as isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide
Directly Observed Therapy (DOT): A healthcare worker ensures patients take medicines correctly
Long-term follow-up to prevent relapse

❗ Stopping treatment early can cause drug-resistant TB, which is harder to cure.

🛡️ Prevention of TB

💉 BCG vaccine (mainly given to children in high TB-risk countries)
😷 Wearing masks and ensuring good ventilation in crowded areas
🧼 Covering mouth when coughing or sneezing
🧑‍⚕️ Early testing and treatment for high-risk individuals

🌟 Outlook

With proper treatment, most TB patients recover completely. However, untreated TB can spread quickly and cause severe health complications. Global efforts, including vaccination and awareness, are essential in reducing TB case

Tuberculosis (TB)