What Is Tuberculosis | Latent TB infection | Tuberculosis Treatment and Prevention

 

Tuberculosis

The microbe The infectious disease known as tuberculosis, or TB, is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although the bacteria mostly affects the lungs, the American Lung Association notes that it can also harm other body organs and is spread through the air from person to person. For much of human history, there has been an ailment that can occasionally be highly lethal. In fact, the history of tuberculosis dates back more than 5,000 years, to ancient Egypt, according to scientists. TBC is referred to in the biblical writings of Deuteronomy and Leviticus as "schachepheth" (Hebrew).

In his writings, Hippocrates describes it as "phthisis". Tuberculosis (TB) is a severe illness that primarily affects the lungs. The bacterium that causes tuberculosis is one particular group. The sickness can spread through coughing, sneezing, or singing by an infected individual. This could cause little amounts of the bacteria to be released into the air. When someone else inhales the droplets, the bacteria can subsequently enter their lungs. Tuberculosis spreads easily to areas where people live in close quarters or congregate in big groups. People with weakened immune systems, such as those suffering from HIV/AIDS, are more prone to tuberculosis than people in good health. Drugs with antibiotics are used to treat tuberculosis. Nevertheless, several bacterial strains have developed antibiotic resistance.

Symptoms:

When tuberculosis (TB) bacteria proliferate and multiply in the lungs, an infection is caused. An infection with TB has three stages. Each stage has its own unique set of symptoms.

Primary infection with tuberculosis:

The term "main infection" refers to the first stage. Immune system cells track down and capture the invaders. The immune system may eliminate the pathogens completely. It is possible for certain germs to remain confined and multiply, though.

For most people, a primary infection has no symptoms at all. Some people might have flu-like symptoms, such as:

·         Low fever

·         Fatigue

·         Cough

Latent TB infection:

Usually, a primary tuberculosis infection is followed by a latent infection. TBC-infected lung tissue has an immune system cell wall surrounding it. The bacteria cannot do any more harm if the immune system is able to confine them. Still, the bacteria persist. There are no symptoms when a tuberculosis infection is latent.

Causes

The bacteria that causes tuberculosis is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. People who have active tuberculosis in their lungs or voice box can infect others with the illness. The germs are dispersed into the atmosphere by the tiny droplets they release. This could happen when they laugh, sneeze, cough, talk, sing, or cough. A person who inhales the droplets may become infected. The likelihood of the illness spreading rises when people spend a lot of time indoors. Therefore, the disease spreads easily in settings where people live or work together for lengthy periods of time. Furthermore, in large gatherings, the sickness spreads more quickly. Latent tuberculosis infection stops other people from contracting the disease.

Treatment

The tuberculosis virus is curable. A course of treatment lasting six months involves the use of four traditional antibiotics. Rifampicin and isoniazid are common drugs. Sometimes the usual treatments may not kill the tuberculosis germs. This patient has tuberculosis that is resistant to medication. Treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis must be more comprehensive and time-consuming. Throughout the course of the TB medicine, the patient receives information, supervision, and support from a qualified volunteer or health professional. Without such support, it can be difficult to adhere to therapy. Drug resistance and the spread of disease are made more likely by inadequate treatment completion. In the event of TB infection, which happens when a patient has the TB bacterium but is not sick, TB preventative medication can be administered to stop the disease from developing.

Why might something make more susceptible to tuberculosis?

The following individuals have the highest risk of developing active tuberculosis:

Individuals who have recently contracted tuberculosis (TB), particularly within the last two years; children, particularly those under five years old; individuals whose previous TB illness was improperly treated or treated before to the 1970s; individuals on immune-suppressive drugs; and those with specific medical disorders, such as:

·         HIV/AIDS

·         Those who have received organ transplants

·         Renal failure

·         Some cancers and cancer therapies

·         Diabetes being undernourished

 

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