It is a contagious illness that is potentially life-threatening. In tuberculosis, the patient’s lungs are mostly affected. In addition to this, the bacteria responsible for triggering this infectious disease are transmittable from an individual to another. This occurs when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Microscopic droplets released by the actions allow the bacterium to spread into the air. When an otherwise healthy person persistently inhales the droplets, he or she also becomes infected.
Once being rare, the infection started increasing in late 80’s. A somewhat justified reason behind this was the emergence of a virus known to source AIDS, called HIV. The virus is known to suppress the immune system of a body; this makes it weak enough to fight against the germs of Tuberculosis.
To treat the infection, patients are prescribed with some types of drugs to be taken for months.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tuberculosis ?
Common indications of tuberculosis are as follow:
- Coughing, that continues for 21 or more days.
- Coughing up blood.
- Weight loss.
- Pain while coughing or breathing.
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Chills.
- Night sweats.
- Loss of appetite.
The infectious disease can affect some other parts of the body as well, such as brain, spine or kidneys. Symptoms in such a case vary, depending upon what organ is affected. In case tuberculosis has affected your spine, then you may develop back pain, whereas if kidneys are involved, then you may notice blood in urine.
What Causes Tuberculosis ?
It is triggered by a bacterium. It transmits from an infected individual to an otherwise healthy person via minute droplets that are spread into the air. These minute droplets are released when the infected person laughs, spits, sneezes, speaks or coughs. Despite the fact, that tuberculosis is infectious, yet it is not easily transmittable. A person is at an increased risk of becoming infected if he or she works or live with an infected person. It is least likely to contract tuberculosis from a direct contact with a stranger.
This indicates that to become infected, continuous exposure to the bacterium is important.
What Are The Complications Of Tuberculosis ?
In case tuberculosis is left untreated, then it can turn fatal. Complications associated with it are as follow:
- Spinal pain.
- Joint damage.
- Meningitis.
- Kidney or liver problems.
- Heart disorders.
How Is Tuberculosis Diagnosed ?
The doctor will perform a thorough physical exam and will either conduct a blood test or just a simple skin test. In case the test result is positive, then he or she will possibly recommend a CT scan or chest X-ray.
Moreover, in case the chest-X-ray reveals indications of TB, then the doctor will need a sample of sputum to test for the bacteria of tuberculosis.
How Is Tuberculosis Treated ?
Drugs are the basis of its treatment. Though, the patient may take more time to recover as compared to the patients with some other types of infections, caused by bacteria.
By : Natural Health News
