tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious, potentially fatal infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body such as the spine, kidneys or brain. TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease is transmissible and spreads through the air when a person with active tuberculosis coughs, talks, sneezes or spits, releasing bacteria into the air that can then be inhaled by other people.

Symptoms

Symptoms of active tuberculosis can begin gradually and include:

Persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks and is sometimes associated with sputum that may contain blood
Fever, especially sweating at night
Unintentional weight loss
fatigue and weakness
Pain when breathing or coughing
Swollen lymph nodes

Latent vs. Active TB

Latent TB : The person is infected with M. tuberculosis but shows no symptoms and is not contagious. People with latent TB can later develop active TB, especially if the immune system is weakened.
Active TB : The person shows symptoms of the disease and can spread it to others. Active TB requires long-term treatment.

diagnosis

Diagnosis of TB typically includes:

Skin test (tuberculin skin test) or blood test (interferon-gamma release assays, IGRA) to check for latent TB infection.
Chest x-rays to identify lung changes caused by TB.
Microscopic examination and culture of sputum samples for direct identification of the bacterium in active TB.

Treatment

Treating TB requires long-term use of antibiotics, typically for at least six months. The standard treatment for new, uncomplicated TB cases includes a combination of four antibiotics: isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. The exact treatment may vary depending on the resistance profile of the bacteria, the form of TB (latent or active), and whether it is a primary infection or a retreatment.

Prevention

Prevention of TB includes:

Vaccination with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which is particularly recommended in TB-endemic countries.
Avoiding exposure to people with active TB, especially in enclosed spaces.
Regular testing for TB for people at high risk, such as health workers or people in close contact with TB patients.
Adequate ventilation in living and work areas to reduce the concentration of bacteria in the air.

Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Early detection and treatment of TB cases are critical to preventing the spread of the disease and reducing deaths.