Tuberculosis (tb)

Chest | Pulmonology | Tuberculosis (tb) (Disease)


Description

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection which is located mostly in the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can spread to other parts of the body (extra pulmonary TB). The lung, TB is easily spread to others through coughing or sneezing.

Active tuberculosis symptoms appear gradually and is for a period of several weeks or months. There may be some mild symptoms without the patient to suspect this infection. Common symptoms are: cough accompanied by thick mucus, sometimes blood (sputum) for a period of about two weeks; rapid heartbeat (tachycardia); enlarged neck (affecting the lymph nodes in this region).

Symptoms of infection in places other than the lungs vary depending on where the infection. Infection usually remains in the lungs, but the bacteria can migrate through the blood flow in different parts of the body. Onset of infection can be so easy, that can be unnoticed by the patient.

Type of symptoms are consistent with the type of tuberculosis is pulmonary (most common) or elsewhere in the body (extra pulmonary tuberculosis). Also there may be other conditions with symptoms similar to those of tuberculosis such as pneumonia and lung cancer.

Causes and Risk factors

Tuberculosis can be found either in the form of latency (waiting) is in active state. Latent TB means the TB-causing bacteria can exist in the body, but it cannot be spread to others, but this person may have active tuberculosis.

Active TB means the infection is present in the body and if the lungs are affected, the infection can be spread to others. Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium that grows slowly in medium body that are rich in blood and oxygen in the body such as the lungs. If the latent form of tuberculosis is present no symptoms and cannot be spread to others .

Diagnosis and Treatment

Although the treatment is prolonged, it is most often completed successfully. The average duration of treatment is between 6 and 9 months. If there is the active form of TB, no symptoms and the infection can be spread. ...