Tuberculosis

The bacteria known as mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis (TB), primarily damages the lungs but can also harm the kidneys, spine, or brain. The disease TB is treatable and preventable. When someone coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets of bacteria enter the air and can spread tuberculosis between people. 

You won't always feel ill if you have TB. The sickness comes in two forms:

1. Latent tuberculosis: Despite the fact that the germs are already present inside of you, your immune system prevents them from spreading. You have no symptoms and you are not infectious. The virus is still there, though, and it could become active at any time. If you have HIV, have recently had an infection, have an atypical chest X-ray, have an impaired immune system, are at high risk for reactivation, or meet other criteria, your doctor will prescribe medication to stop active TB. There are no signs of latent TB. It can be found if you have it through a skin or blood test.
2. Active TB: You become ill as a result of the bacteria spreading. The sickness can be transmitted to others. Adults with current TB cases account for 90% of all cases. The following are typical signs of active TB: 

• A cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks
• Chest pain
• Bloody coughing
• Constantfatigue
• Night sweats
• Chills
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss.

Antibiotics are used to treat both active and latent TB infections. It's crucial to take your medication as directed in order to ensure that you eliminate all TB bacteria from your body.

1. You typically take medications for latent TB infections for 3 to 9 months. Treatment makes it less likely that you may have TB disease in the future.
2. You often need to take medications for active TB disease for 6 to 12 months. If you take your medication properly, treatment will almost always cure you.
3. You must stay at home for a few weeks if you have TB disease in your throat or lungs to prevent the spread of the illness to others. You can defend those you are living with by: 

• Covering your mouth and nose.
• When windows can be opened.
• Avoid approaching them too closely.

Along with active or latent TB, you might also learn about various TB types, including the most common type, pulmonary (lung) TB. But the bacteria can also damage other parts of your body, including your lungs, which can result in extrapulmonary tuberculosis (or TB outside of the lung). The following symptoms of systemic miliary TB, which can affect the entire body:

• Meningitis, an inflammation of the brain.
• High levels of white blood cells in your urine, also known as sterile pyuria.
• Pott's disease, commonly known as TB spondylitis or spinal tuberculosis.
• Addison's disease, an adrenal gland disease.
• Hepatitis, an infection of the liver
• Lymphadenitis, commonly known as scrofula or TB lymphadenitis, in your neck.