During the times of Covid
Pandemic 19, the whole world is panic-stricken about the outcome on a day-to-day
developments as still no vaccine is developed as of now. But the giant killer Tuberculosis is still prevalent
now in this modern world and still potential cases of TB are still on the
go. The Tuberculosis is kept well under check due to vaccine and medications available across the globe.
Let us go through the nuances of
Tuberculosis as below:-
Tuberculosis (TB) is an
infectious disease that usually affects the lungs, though it can affect any
organ in the body. It can develop when bacteria spread through droplets in the
air. TB can be fatal, but in many cases, it is preventable and
treatable.
The WHO estimate that
in 2018, nearly 10 million people around the world developed TB and 1.5 million
people died from the disease, including 251,000 people who also had HIV.
A majority of the people affected were in Asia.
However, TB remains a matter of concern in many other areas, including the
United States.
The same year, doctors reported 9,025 cases of TB in the U.S., according
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Currently, antibiotic resistance is causing renewed
concerns about TB among experts. Some strains of the disease are not responding
to the most effective treatment options. In this case, TB is difficult to
treat.
(Shared on PinterestA person with
TB may experience swollen lymph nodes.)
A person may develop TB after inhaling Mycobacterium
tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) bacteria.
When TB affects the lungs, the disease is the most contagious, but a person will usually
only become sick after close contact with someone who has this type of TB.
TB infection (latent TB)
A person can have TB bacteria in their body and
never develop symptoms. In most people, the immune system can contain the bacteria so that they
do not replicate and cause disease. In this case, a person will have TB
infection but not active disease.
Doctors refer to this as latent TB. A person may
never experience symptoms and be unaware that they have the infection. There is
also no risk of passing on a latent infection to another person. However, a
person with latent TB still requires treatment.
TB disease (active TB)
The body may be unable to contain TB bacteria. This
is more common when the immune system is weakened due to illness or the use of
certain medications.
When this happens, the bacteria can replicate and
cause symptoms, resulting in active TB. People with active TB can spread the
infection.
Without medical intervention, TB becomes active
in 5 to 10 percent of people with the infection. In about 50% of these people,
the progression occurs within 2–5 years of getting the infection, according to
the CDC.
The risk of developing active TB is highervin:
- anyone with a weakened
immune system
- anyone who first developed
the infection in the past 2–5 years
- older adults and young
children
- people who use injected
recreational drugs
- people who have not received
appropriate treatment for TB in the past
Some salient facts about Pulmonary Tuberculosis,
which primarily affects the lungs. Early warning
signs
A person should see a doctor if they experience
·
A persistent
cough, lasting at least 3 weeks
- phlegm, which may have blood
in it, when they cough
- a loss of appetite and
weight
- a general feeling of fatigue and being unwell
- swelling in the neck
- a fever
- night sweats
- chest pain
Latent TB: A person with latent TB will have no symptoms,
and no damage will show on a chest X-ray. However, a blood test or skin prick
test will indicate that they have TB infection.
Active TB: A person with TB disease may experience a cough
that produces phlegm, fatigue, a fever, chills, and a loss of appetite and
weight. Symptoms typically worsen over time, but they can also spontaneously go
away and return.
Beyond the lungs
TB usually affects the lungs, though symptoms can
develop in other parts of the body as well. This is more common in people with
weakened immune systems.
TB can cause:
- persistently swollen lymph
nodes, or “swollen glands”
- abdominal pain
- joint or bone pain
- confusion
- a persistent headache
- seizures
A person with latent TB will have no symptoms, but
the infection can show up on tests. People should ask for a TB test if they:
- have spent time with a
person who has or is at risk of TB
- have spent time in a country
with high rates of TB
- work in an environment where
TB may be present
A doctor will ask about any symptoms and the
person’s medical history. They will also perform a physical examination, which
involves listening to the lungs and checking for swelling in the lymph nodes.
Two tests can show whether TB bacteria are present:
- the TB skin test
- the TB blood test
However, these cannot indicate whether TB is active
or latent. To test for active TB disease, the doctor may recommend a sputum
test and a chest X-ray.
Everyone with TB needs treatment, regardless of
whether the infection is active or latent.
Treatment
With early detection and appropriate antibiotics,
TB is treatable.
The right type of antibiotic and length of
treatment will depend on:
- the person’s age and overall
health
- whether they have latent or
active TB
- the location of the
infection
- whether the strain of TB is
drug resistant
Treatment for latent TB can vary. It may
involve taking an antibiotic once a week for 12 weeks or every day for 9
months.
Treatment for active TB may involve taking several
drugs for 6 – 9 months. When a person has a drug resistant strain of
TB, the treatment will be more complex.
It is essential to complete the full course of
treatment, even if symptoms go away. If a person stops taking their medication
early, some bacteria can survive and become resistant to antibiotics. In this
case, the person may go on to develop drug resistant TB.
Causes
M. tuberculosis bacteria cause TB. They can spread through
the air in droplets when a person with pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes, spits,
laughs, or talks.
Only
people with active TB can transmit the infection. However, most people with the
disease can no longer transmit the bacteria after they have received
appropriate treatment for at least 2 weeks.
Ways of
preventing TB from infecting others include:
- getting a diagnosis and
treatment early
- staying away from other
people until there is no longer a risk of infection
- wearing a mask, covering the
mouth, and ventilating rooms
TB vaccination
In some countries children receive an anti-TB
vaccination — the bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine — as part of a regular
immunization program.
Risk factors
People with weakened immune systems are most likely
to develop active TB. The following are some issues that can weaken the immune
system.
HIV
For people with HIV, doctors consider TB to be
an opportunistic infection.
This means that a person with HIV has a higher risk of developing TB and
experiencing more severe symptoms than a person with a healthy immune system.
Treatment for TB can be complex in a person with
HIV, but a doctor can develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses
both issues.
Smoking
Tobacco use and second hand smoke increase the risk of
developing TB. These factors also make the disease harder to treat and more
likely to return after treatment.
Quitting
smoking and avoiding contact with smoke can reduce the risk of
developing TB.
Other conditions
Some other health issues that weaken the immune
system and can increase the risk of
developing TB include:
- low body weight
- substance abuse disorders
- diabetes
- silicosis
- severe kidney disease
- head and neck cancer
Without treatment, TB can be fatal.
If it spreads throughout the body, the infection
can cause problems with the cardiovascular system and metabolic
function, among other issues.
TB can also lead to sepsis,
a potentially life threatening form of infection.
An active TB infection is contagious
and potentially life threatening if a person does not receive appropriate
treatment. However, most cases are treatable, especially when doctors detect
them early.
Anyone with a high risk of developing
TB or any symptoms of the disease should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Content source courtesy: Medical News Today
Brought to you by:
ETHNIC & PURE OIL AND FOODS
Chennai
91-98844 29812
91-98417 62617
Chennai
91-98844 29812
91-98417 62617
Comments
Post a Comment