Thread by @d_ogera

TUBERCULOSIS

To simplify this, Tuberculosis or TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.
#WorldTBDay2023

It is important to know that, not everyone who has been infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, there are two TB-related conditions exist:

1. latent TB infection and,
2. Tuberculosis disease.

How does one get tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis bacteria spread through the air from one person to another.

When a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, or speaks, the TB bacteria can get into the air.
Therefore, people close may breathe in these bacteria and get infected

Tuberculosis of the lungs or throat can be infectious. Meaning, the bacteria can spread to other people.
On the other end, TB in other parts of the body, ie the kidney or spine, is usually not infectious.

What are the common signs and symptoms of tuberculosis?

Symptoms of TB depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing.

The commonest type of TB is pulmonary TB (TB of the lungs). This may cause

1. Cough for more than 2 weeks with either blood or sputum

2. Chest pain
3. Body weakness or fatigue
4. weight loss
5. Lack of appetite
6. Fever and chills
7. Night sweats.

When tuberculosis affects any other body part, the symptoms depend on the area affected.

What should you do when you have the symptoms?

Whenever you have the above-mentioned symptoms and either exposed to a person suffering from tuberculosis, it is advised that you visit a health facility near you for examination, review and evaluation, and management

What are the common risk factors for tuberculosis infection?

TB can develop within the first few weeks or may take up to years after the TB bacterium enters the body depending on some factors.

The risk of TB increases when a patient has a weakened immune system.

The risk factors associated with TB include;

1. Children and the elderly with weakened immune systems.
2. Patients with HIV infection and DM
3. I.V Drug abusers
4. Visitors and immigrants from areas known to have a high incidence
5. Transplant patients

6. People undergoing immunosuppressive therapy such as CHEMOTHERAPY
7. Malnutrition and silicosis
8. Tobacco usage
9. Overcrowding
10. Alcoholism
11. Silicosis
12. Cancer
13. End-stage renal disease
14. Intestinal bypass surgery
15. Malabsorption syndromes
16. Low body weight

The following factors help to determine whether a TB infection is likely to be transmitted:

1. Number of organisms expelled
2. Concentration of organisms
3. Length of exposure time to contaminated air
4. Immune status of the exposed individual

How does one get tested for tuberculosis?

tuberculosis can be diagnosed by;
1. Skin Test known as the Mantoux tuberculin skin test or the tuberculin skin test TST
2. Chest radiography
3. Sputu exam and culture
4. Biopsy from the infected area in case of extrapulmonary TB

How is Tuberculosis treated?

The usual treatment regimen for TB cases from fully susceptible M tuberculosis isolates consists of 6 months of multidrug therapy.

Good enough is that the government provides these antiTB medications for free.
You are not required to pay a penny for your treatment.
If you have the symptoms or know of a person who has tuberculosis symptoms.
Make a move and facilitate their treatment. Save a soul