Tuberculosis

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
TB is a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects your lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Key Fact: It spreads through the air when someone with active TB coughs or sneezes. It is not spread by shaking hands or sharing dishes.

The Two Forms of TB

You can have TB bacteria in your body without being sick. This distinction is vital:

Latent TB (Inactive)	Active TB (Disease)
Bacteria are "asleep" in the body. You feel healthy and have no symptoms. You are NOT contagious. Needs treatment to prevent it from waking up later.	Bacteria are multiplying and attacking the body. You feel sick and have symptoms. You CAN spread it to others. Needs immediate, aggressive treatment.

Symptoms of Active TB

TB usually attacks the lungs, but can affect the kidney, spine, or brain.

• The Cough: Lasting 3 weeks or longer.
• Hemoptysis: Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm).
• Chest Pain: Pain with breathing or coughing.
• Night Sweats: Drenching sweats during sleep.
• Unintentional Weight Loss.

🛑 CRITICAL WARNING: MDR-TB
You must finish your medication.

TB treatment takes 6 to 9 months. You will feel better after a few weeks, but the bacteria are still alive. If you stop taking the pills early, the surviving bacteria become Drug-Resistant (MDR-TB). This super-strain is much harder to kill and far more deadly.

Risk Factors

• HIV/AIDS: HIV suppresses the immune system, making it the #1 risk factor for Latent TB waking up into Active TB.
• Crowded Living: Prisons, shelters, or nursing homes with poor ventilation.
• Global Travel: Visiting regions with high TB rates (Africa, Asia, parts of Eastern Europe).

Diagnosis

Doctors use a combination of tests to confirm infection:

• Skin Test (Mantoux): A fluid is injected under the skin of the arm. A raised red bump after 48 hours indicates infection (Latent or Active).
• Blood Test (IGRA): More accurate than the skin test; measures immune response.
• Chest X-Ray: Shows white spots in the lungs where the immune system has walled off bacteria.
• Sputum Test: Testing the mucus you cough up to see if it is drug-resistant.

Treatment

Treatment involves a long course of antibiotics. You will likely take a combination of these four drugs:

• Isoniazid (INH)
• Rifampin (Rifadin)
• Ethambutol (Myambutol)
• Pyrazinamide

What is DOT?

Directly Observed Therapy (DOT): Because finishing the meds is so critical for public safety, a health care worker may meet you daily to watch you swallow the pills. This isn't because they don't trust you; it's the standard of care to prevent drug resistance.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Isolation: If you have Active TB, stay home. Do not go to work or school until your doctor says you are no longer contagious (usually after a few weeks of treatment).
• Ventilation: Open windows. TB bacteria hang in stagnant air but blow away in fresh air.
• BCG Vaccine: Commonly given to infants in countries with high TB rates. It is rarely used in the USA. Note: This vaccine can cause a "False Positive" on a TB skin test.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.