Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs, but it can also impact other parts of the body. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
🔍 Overview of Tuberculosis
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Causative agent | Mycobacterium tuberculosis |
| Primary organ affected | Lungs |
| Mode of transmission | Airborne (via coughing, sneezing, talking) |
| Global impact | One of the top 10 causes of death worldwide |
| Preventable? | Yes (via BCG vaccine and public health measures) |
| Curable? | Yes, with proper antibiotic treatment |
🔬 Types of Tuberculosis
- Latent TB Infection (LTBI)
- Bacteria are present in the body but inactive
- No symptoms
- Not contagious
- Can become active later
- Active TB Disease
- Bacteria are multiplying and causing symptoms
- Contagious
- Requires treatment
- Pulmonary TB
- Affects lungs (most common)
- Highly infectious
- Extrapulmonary TB
- Affects other organs: lymph nodes, bones, kidneys, brain, etc.
- Not usually contagious
⚠️ Symptoms of Active TB
- Persistent cough (lasting more than 3 weeks)
- Coughing up blood or sputum
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
🧪 Diagnosis
- Tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test)
- Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA)
- Chest X-ray
- Sputum smear microscopy
- Culture test for M. tuberculosis
- Molecular tests (e.g., GeneXpert)
💊 Treatment
- Standard TB treatment involves multiple antibiotics for 6–9 months, including:
- Isoniazid (INH)
- Rifampicin (RIF)
- Ethambutol (EMB)
- Pyrazinamide (PZA)
- Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS): Ensures patient adherence
- Drug-resistant TB:
- MDR-TB (Multi-drug-resistant TB)
- XDR-TB (Extensively drug-resistant TB)
- Requires second-line drugs, longer and more complex treatment
🛡️ Prevention
- BCG vaccine: Protects infants and young children against severe TB forms
- Early detection and treatment of active TB
- Infection control measures: good ventilation, masks, isolation in healthcare settings
- Regular screening for high-risk groups
🌍 Global Perspective
- High burden countries: India, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, South Africa
- TB and HIV: Coinfection is common; HIV weakens immunity, making TB more likely
- World TB Day: March 24 – to raise awareness and promote efforts to end TB
📌 Key Takeaways
- TB is preventable and curable, but still a major global health challenge.
- Prompt diagnosis and full treatment are critical to control the spread.
- Drug resistance and co-infections (like HIV) complicate TB control.