Pulmonology & Respiratory Medicine

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lungs but can also spread to other body parts. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, it presents with symptoms like persistent cough with blood, fever, night sweats, and weight loss, historically termed "consumption" due to weight loss. TB spreads through the air when infected individuals cough, spit, speak, or sneeze. Diagnosis relies on chest X-rays, microscopic examination, and culture of body fluids for active TB, and tuberculin skin test (TST) or blood tests for latent TB. Prevention involves screening high-risk individuals, early detection, treatment, and vaccination with BCG. High-risk groups include close contacts of TB patients, HIV/AIDS patients, and smokers. Treatment involves prolonged antibiotic use, but antibiotic resistance, leading to multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), poses a significant challenge.

• Symptoms of Tuberculosis
• Causes for Tuberculosis
• Risk factors of Tuberculosis
• Complications of Tuberculosis
• Prevention of Tuberculosis