About
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is often contagious. It primarily attacks the lungs but can also spread to other organs like the kidneys, spine, and brain.
Symptoms
Symptoms of TB may vary depending on whether it is active or latent.
Latent TB is in an inactive state, although the bacteria is present in the body but it neither show much symptoms nor is contagious. whereas, the common symptoms of active TB are:
- Persistent cough lasting three weeks or longer
- Coughing up blood or sputum (mucus from deep inside the lungs)
- Chest pain or pain with breathing or coughing
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Loss of appetite
Diagnosis
Diagnosis may require one or more of these tests:
- Medical History and Physical Examination
- Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
- Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs)
- Chest X-ray
- Sputum Tests
Complications of Pulmonary TB
- Hemoptysis
- Pleural Effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Bronchiectasis
- Respiratory Failure
Complications of Extrapulmonary TB
- Miliary TB
- TB Meningitis
- Pott’s Disease
- Genitourinary TB
- TB Pericarditis
- Lymphadenitis
There are some other General Complications that can be seen in patients with TB. Some of these are:
- Drug Resistance
- Amyloidosis
- Chronic Illness
- Secondary Infections
If left untreated, TB can be fatal. It remains one of the leading causes of death from infectious diseases worldwide. It is advised to seek medical help at the earliest.
