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Tuberculosis (TB)

What is Tuberculosis?

  • Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

  • While it primarily affects the lungs, it can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.

How is TB Spread?

  • TB is an airborne disease, meaning it spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing bacteria into the air.

  • It can also be transmitted through sharing needles or other injection equipment contaminated with infected blood.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

  • Symptoms of TB can vary but commonly include:

    • Persistent cough (lasting more than three weeks)

    • Chest pain

    • Coughing up blood

    • Fatigue

    • Fever

    • Night sweats

    • Unexplained weight loss

  • However, not everyone infected with TB develops symptoms.

  • The bacteria can remain dormant in the body for years, a condition known as latent TB infection (LTBI).

TB Treatment

  • Tuberculosis is treatable with antibiotics, but treatment is long and complex, typically lasting six to nine months or longer.

  • It involves a combination of several medications to prevent the development of drug-resistant TB strains.

Importance of Completing Treatment

  • Even if symptoms improve, it is essential to complete the full course of treatment to ensure complete eradication of the bacteria.

  • Incomplete treatment can lead to drug resistance, making TB harder to treat and more dangerous.

Prevention of Tuberculosis

Prevention strategies include:

  • Avoiding close contact with infected individuals

  • Vaccination (BCG vaccine) in high-risk populations

  • Early diagnosis and treatment to prevent the spread of TB

Screening and High-Risk Groups

Screening for TB is recommended for individuals at higher risk, including:

  • People with weakened immune systems (e.g., HIV patients)

  • Those who have had close contact with an infected person


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