Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, commonly known as TB. This condition usually affects the lungs, but can also spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms of tuberculosis include cough, hemoptysis, fatigue, fever, and weight loss. Treatment typically requires long-term antibiotic use, and patients must adhere strictly to their treatment.
The most effective way to protect against tuberculosis is through vaccination and avoiding risk factors.
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is a contagious lung disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is known as TB among the public.
The infection usually affects the lungs but can also adversely impact the spine, brain, and other organs. The disease tends to occur more frequently in crowded places. TB can be controlled with antibiotic treatment but can be fatal if untreated. This disease, most commonly symptomized by a cough, affects the lungs.
What are the Symptoms of Tuberculosis?
A persistent cough lasting more than two weeks is one of the common symptoms of TB. Symptoms such as hemoptysis or spitting blood during coughs may also be observed. This indicates that the disease particularly affects the lungs.
Night sweats are frequently experienced by tuberculosis patients. Night sweats negatively affect sleep quality and can leave the individual feeling fatigued during the day. The disease also causes loss of appetite and rapid weight loss.
High fevers and constant fatigue are also among the symptoms of TB. These symptoms, caused by the infection in the body, also lead to low energy levels.
How is Tuberculosis Diagnosed?
Tuberculosis is diagnosed using clinical examination, X-ray imaging, and laboratory tests. Main methods in the diagnosis process include sputum microscopy, chest X-rays, PPD tests, IGRA tests, and PCR.
Sputum microscopy is a method used to detect the presence of TB bacilli in a patient's sputum sample, helping identify the tuberculosis agent in respiratory secretions. It plays a crucial role, especially in diagnosing active TB cases.
Chest X-rays and imaging detect lesions in the lungs, infection areas, and typical TB findings. Thus, detailed information is obtained about the spread and effects of tuberculosis in the lungs.
The PPD test and tuberculin skin test are conducted to measure the body's immune response to the tuberculosis microbe. The test is used to evaluate whether a person has gained immunity against the TB microbe they were previously exposed to.
IGRA tests and PCR are more sensitive molecular diagnostic methods. IGRA tests measure specific responses against the tuberculosis microbe by taking a blood sample, while PCR is used to detect the genetic material of the TB agent.
Early diagnosis both increases the success of treatment and reduces the risk of the disease spreading to others. Therefore, timely implementation of accurate diagnostic methods is of vital importance.
How is Tuberculosis Treated?
The effective treatment option for TB is medication. In TB, where drug treatment lasts about 6 months compared to other infectious diseases, four different drugs are used to eradicate the microbes. Some bacteria typically show high resistance tendencies when they enter the body. One of the crucial details here is to take the medications prescribed by the doctor without interruption.
Are There Side Effects to Tuberculosis Treatment?
Since medication use is required in TB treatment, some symptoms may appear; however, this varies among individuals. These symptoms may include skin rashes, nausea, skin itching, jaundice, and dark urine.
What Are Ways to Prevent Tuberculosis?
The effective way to prevent tuberculosis is the BCG vaccine. Applied during infancy in Turkey, the vaccine protects children against meningeal and disseminated forms of tuberculosis. Other prevention methods include:
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Early diagnosis and isolation of active TB patients,
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Avoiding crowded, enclosed, and unventilated spaces,
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Use of masks and personal hygiene,
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Adopting lifestyle habits to keep the immune system strong,
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Patients adhering completely to their medication treatment
In terms of public health, early diagnosis is critical in breaking the chain of transmission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Tuberculosis be Completely Cured?
Yes, with regular and appropriate treatment, tuberculosis can be completely cured today. However, the medication treatment must be complete and long-term. Interrupting treatment can lead to a relapse of the disease.
Does Tuberculosis Only Affect the Lungs?
No. There are cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis affecting organs other than the lungs, such as the kidneys, brain, bones, and lymph nodes. These types of cases are rarer but their diagnosis and treatment can be more complicated.
Can Tuberculosis Recur?
Yes, the disease can recur if the treatment process is not properly completed or the immune system is weakened. Resistant TB forms increase the risk of becoming reinfected.
Does Living in the Same House as Someone with TB Increase the Risk of Transmission?
Living in the same environment with an active and untreated TB patient for long periods increases the risk of transmission. However, infectivity significantly decreases after a few weeks once treatment begins. During this process, mask use, room ventilation, and personal hygiene measures are very important.