Tuberculosis - Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

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Tuberculosis in Urdu

یہ ایک خطرناک بیماری ہے جو بنیادی طور پر پھیپھڑوں کو متاثر کرتی ہے لیکن جسم کے دوسرے حصوں کو بھی ٹی بی متاثر کر سکتی ہے. ٹی بی کا سبب ایک خاص قسم کے بیکٹیریا ہیں۔ یہ بیکٹیریا متاثرہ شخص کے کھانسنے اور چھینکنے سے ہوا میں پھیل کر دوسرے لوگوں کو متاثر کر سکتا ہے۔

Doctors For Tuberculosis

Summary about Tuberculosis in English

Book an appointment with the best doctor for Tuberculosis in Pakistan. We have enlisted the best specialists for TB in Pakistan at Marham based on experience, qualifications, fee, location, and timings.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, bones, and joints. TB can spread from person to person contact. The disease can be life-threatening if left untreated.  

What are the Symptoms of Tuberculosis? 

The symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) can vary depending on which part of the body is affected. However, the most common symptoms of TB include;

• Persistent cough

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Blood in cough

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Night sweats

• Fever

• Lymph node swelling

How can TB be Diagnosed? 

The diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) typically involves;

• Physical examination: A healthcare professional will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination to look for the symptoms.

• Laboratory tests: A sample of sputum may be collected and analyzed for the presence of certain bacteria. Other laboratory tests include a blood test and a test for TB antigens.

• Imaging: A chest x-ray or CT scan may be done to look inside the lungs.

• Mantoux test: A skin test in which a small amount of fluid called tuberculin is injected under the skin usually in the forearm. If a person has been infected with TB, a hard, raised bump will appear at the site of the injection within 48-72 hours.

What is the Treatment of Tuberculosis? 

The treatment for tuberculosis (TB) typically involves a combination of antibiotics to suppress the growth of the TB bacteria. The specific drugs and duration of treatment will depend on the individual case and the drug susceptibility of the TB strain.

• Antibiotics: The most common first-line drugs for treating TB are isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. If TB is resistant to first-line drugs, a different combination of drugs may be used, such as fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides.

• Hospitalization: In some cases, especially if the TB is severe, hospitalization is necessary. This allows for more intensive treatment and monitoring.

What is Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB)?

Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a type of tuberculosis that is resistant to two first-line anti-TB drugs, isoniazid, and rifampin. MDR-TB can occur when the bacteria are not completely killed during the treatment, thus allowing the remaining bacteria to develop resistance to these drugs.

MDR-TB requires a longer course of treatment which typically involves a combination of antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. The treatment may last up to two years.

What are the preventive measures for TB? 

The following measures can help in the prevention of tuberculosis (TB);

• Vaccination: The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine can be given to protect against TB, especially in children. The vaccine is not very effective in preventing adult TB.

• Isolation and infection control: People with active TB should be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease.

• Testing and screening: People who are at high risk of TB should be tested and screened. 

What are the Major Complications associated with Tuberculosis? 

Tuberculosis disease can cause a variety of complications, some of which can be serious or even life-threatening including;

• Lung damage

• Meningitis

• Pleural effusion

• Septicemia/blood poisoning

• Bone and joint damage

• Kidney damage

These complications can occur with both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB. Therefore, it is recommended to receive immediate treatment to prevent complications.

What are the factors that increase the risk of developing TB disease?

Factors that increase the risk of developing TB include;

• Weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressive drugs

• Crowded or poorly ventilated places

• Close contact with someone who has active TB disease

• Malnutrition

• Smoking

Consult the best doctor for TB in Pakistan now to avoid any complications. You can also book a video consultation through Marham to discuss your symptoms with the most experienced doctor for Tuberculosis in Pakistan.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

Although your body can harbor the bacteria that cause TB, your immune system can normally prevent you from getting sick. Because of this, doctors distinguish between:

Latent TB In this situation you are infected with TB, but the bacteria remain inactive in your body and cause no symptoms. Latent tuberculosis, also known as inactive tuberculosis or tuberculous infection, is not contagious. It can be active tuberculosis. Therefore, the treatment is important for the person with latent tuberculosis and helps to control the spread of tuberculosis. It is estimated that 2 billion people have latent tuberculosis.

Active TB This condition makes you ill and in most cases can spread to others. It can occur in the first few weeks after TB infection or even years later.

Signs and symptoms of active TB include:

• Coughing lasts for three weeks or more

• Cough with blood

• Chest pain or pain when breathing or coughing

• Accidental weight loss

• Tired

• fever

• Night is sweating

• chills

• anorexia

Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of your body, including the kidneys, the spine, or the brain. When tuberculosis occurs outside the lungs, the signs and symptoms vary according to the organs involved. For example, tuberculosis of the spine can cause back pain, and tuberculosis of the kidneys can cause blood in the urine.

Causes of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is caused by the bacteria that spread by the bacteria which release through the droplets of sneezing and coughing. When an individual of untreated infection sneeze, cough, laughs and sings. Tuberculosis is harmful, it is difficult to catch it. Someone can become a victim of the disease whom he is living than a stranger. Most of the people with at least two weeks of treatment are save from the disease. 

 HIV and TB

Since the 1980s the number of the case of the TB patient is increased due to the spread of the AIDS virus.due to the virus people are more prone to get the TB because the HIV weakens the immune system of the body and body is unable to fight against the TB bacteria. 

Drug-resistant TB

Another reason for the tuberculosis is the resistant of the bacteria to the vaccine. Since the first antibiotic used for the treatment, the germs become more resistant to the medications. Drug-resistant strains of TB occurs due to the germs left after the medication. 

Risk Factors of Tuberculosis

Anyone can get tuberculosis but few factors can increase the risk of the disease. These factors are. 

 Weakened immune system

A healthy immune system often fights tuberculosis bacteria successfully, but your body can not defend itself effectively with little resistance. Many disease and conditions weaken the immune system of the body. 

• HIV / AIDS

• diabetes

• Severe kidney disease

• Some Cancers

• Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy.

• Medications for the prevention of rejection of transplanted organs.

• Some medications for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and psoriasis

• malnutrition

• Travel or live in certain areas

The risk of developing tuberculosis is higher for people who live or travel in high-TB and drug-resistant tuberculosis areas, including:

• Africa

• Eastern Europe

• Asia

• Russia

• Latin America

• Caribbean islands

Poverty and addiction

Lack of medical care. If you have a low or fixed income, living in a remote area, recently emigrated to the United States, or homeless, you may not have access to the medical care needed to diagnose and treat tuberculosis.

Consumption of substances.

 Injection or excessive alcohol consumption weakens the immune system and makes you more susceptible to tuberculosis.

Use of tobacco. 

The use of tobacco significantly increases the risk of getting TB and dying.

Where you work or live

Health work Regular contact with sick people increases the risk of exposure to TB bacteria. Wearing a mask and washing your hands often reduces your risk.

Live or work in a residential care facility. 

People living or working in prisons, homeless shelters, psychiatric hospitals or retirement homes are at greater risk of developing tuberculosis. In fact, the risk of contracting the disease is greater wherever overpopulation and poor ventilation prevail.

Live or emigrate from a country where TB is common. 

People in a country where tuberculosis is common can be at high risk for TB infection.

Living with a person infected with tuberculosis. 

Living with a person with TB increases their risk.

Preventive Measures of Tuberculosis

If your latent TB infection test is positive, your doctor may recommend taking medication to reduce the risk of active TB. The only type of infectious tuberculosis is the active variety that affects the lungs.

Protect your family and friends

It usually takes a few weeks for the infection to stop. Follow these tips to prevent your friends and family from getting sick:

Stay at home.

Do not go to work or school and do not sleep in a room with other people during the first few weeks of TB treatment.

Ventilate the room. 

The germs of tuberculosis spread more easily in small, closed rooms in which the air does not move. If it's not too cold outside, open the windows and blow in the air with a fan.

Cover Your Mouth.

 Use a cloth to cover your mouth when you laugh, sneeze or cough. Put the dirty cloth in a bag, close it and discard it.

Wearing a Mask 

Using a surgical mask during the first three weeks of treatment with others may help to reduce the risk of transmission.

Complete your treatment

This is the most important step to protect yourself and others from TB. If you stop treatment prematurely or skip a dose, TB bacteria have the potential to develop mutations that allow them to survive the most potent antituberculous drugs. The strains that are resistant to the resulting drugs are much more deadly and difficult to treat.

Vaccinations

In countries where tuberculosis is most prevalent, babies are often vaccinated with the as it can prevent severe TB in children. Dozens of new TB vaccines are at various stages of development and testing.