WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS?

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a chronic disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium. It usually infects the lungs, but it can also affect other areas such as the spine, brain, kidneys, and intestines. TB spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, which releases droplets into the air that other people can breathe in. If not treated, the disease can be serious and even fatal. TB causes a bad cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, fever, chills, and fatigue. Some people are infected with TB bacteria but don't have any symptoms and are not contagious. However, the disease can become active later and make them sick. People with a weak immune system, are at higher risk for TB infection. Living in unsanitary conditions, abusing alcohol or drugs, and working with people who have TB also increases the risk. Taking several medications over a period of months will cure most cases of TB unless it's caused by a drug resistant version of the bacterium. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TUBERCULOSIS: 

Cough, chills, enlarged or swollen glands, fever, tender glands, yellowish skin and eyes, pain or discomfort, decreased appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss, night sweats, weakness 

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT: 

Diagnosis: TB is diagnosed by taking a medical examination, review of medical history and getting TB skin and blood tests done. Other tests may also include chest X-ray and sputum testing.

Treatment: TB treatment may include: 

1. Medication taken for 9 months to kill TB bacteria and prevent the active disease in people with latent TB.

2.  Several medications taken from 6 months to a year to kill TB bacteria in people with active TB and prevent the disease from spreading.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. Seek immediate medical care if you have a high fever, aching joints, aching or tingling in your fingers or toes, tingling or numbness around your mouth, blurred vision, ringing in your ears, dizziness, bruising, or yellow skin or eyes.
2. Consult a Doctor if exposed to someone with TB, if you have symptoms of TB, or if you are being treated for TB and your symptoms get worse or you develop new symptoms.
3.  Not taking medication correctly increases the risk of developing treatment-resistant TB.
4. It's very important to take your medication exactly as directed and for the entire duration of the course. Failure to do so can result in TB coming back and is very hard to treat