[HEALTH TIPS] Tuberculosis meaning, how it spreads, symptoms, complications, preventions, treatment

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which usually attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body, including the bones, joints and brain.

Not everyone who is infected with TB bacteria develops the disease.

People who are infected may not feel ill and may have no symptoms.

The infection can last for a lifetime, but the infected person may never develop the disease itself. People who are

infected and who do not develop the disease do not spread the infection to others.

 How is TB spread?

TB is spread from one person to another through the air, often when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

TB spreads rapidly, especially in areas where people are living in crowded conditions, have poor access to health care, and/or are malnourished.

A person can contract bovine tuberculosis, another variety of TB, by consuming raw milk from infected cattle.

People of all ages can develop TB, but the risk is highest in children younger than three years of age and in older people.

People with TB infection who have weakened immune systems (for example, people with HIV/AIDS) are more likely to develop the disease.

What are the symptoms and signs of TB?

The period from infection to development of the first symptoms is usually four to 12 weeks, but the infection may persist for months or even years before the disease develops.

A person with the disease can infect others for several weeks after he or she begins treatment.

The symptoms of TB include general weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.

In TB of the lungs, which is called pulmonary tuberculosis, the symptoms include persistent cough, coughing up of blood and chest pain.

In young children, however, the only sign of pulmonary TB may be stunted growth or failure to thrive.

Other symptoms and signs depend on the part of the body that is affected. For example, in tuberculosis of the bones and joints, there may be swelling, pain and crippling effects on the hips, knees or spine.

What are the complications of TB?

TB can present in many ways and may be very difficult to diagnose. Untreated pulmonary TB results in debility and death. This may be more rapid in people infected with HIV/AIDS.

What is the treatment for TB?

People with TB must complete a course of therapy, which usually includes taking two or more antituberculosis drugs for at least six months. This therapy is called Directly Observed Treatment Schedule (DOTS). Unfortunately, some people fail to take the medication as prescribed or do not complete the course of therapy. Some may be given ineffective treatment. This can lead to multidrug-resistant TB that is even more difficult to treat and more dangerous if spread to other people. When people who have developed TB fail to complete standard treatment regimens or are given the wrong treatment regimen, they may remain infectious.

How is TB prevented?

Vaccination before 12 months of age with bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine (BCG) can protect against TB meningitis and other severe forms of TB in children of less than five years of age. Sections 16.7–16.9 and Table 1.24 describe BCG vaccine.