Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Tuberculosis - Prevent Spreading

The signs and symptoms of tuberculosis are important to understand. This is especially true for those who may have this disease. In order to know how to prevent tuberculosis, you need to know what it is.

This disease is often referred to as TB and it is a very contagious disease that may be airborne. Tuberculosis is classified as a bacterial infection.

Many people experience the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, without knowing the disease is present. Some of the symptoms of TB could be associated with other conditions. This is why consulting a physician is so important to your diagnosis. You will learn what are symptoms of tuberculosis, and what are not.

Countries around the globe are interested in learning how can tuberculosis be prevented. Quick diagnosis and treatment plays a large role in saving lives from this disease.

There are three distinct types of TB that are diagnosed by symptoms and testing procedures. These types are called: tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Treatment approaches usually determine which of these a patient has. Physicians will tailor treatment depending on these results.

Early symptoms of tuberculosis are important to pay attention to when it comes to diagnosis. Since the lungs are one of the primary targets of TB, coughing is a common symptom.

Other organs, however, may be impacted by the existence of this infection. Your physician will note your symptoms prior to the treatment process. Excessive coughing should not be ignored as simply a cold.

Cause of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a disease that is caused in the human body by an infectious agent. This particular bacterium was first discovered in 1882 by Dr. Robert Koch. This is a slow growing rod-shaped bacterium, which is only found in humans. It needs oxygen to survive. This is one of the reasons that the lungs are attacked with TB.

Breathing in air contaminated by TB allows it to enter the body. The immune system is incapable of stopping the growth of the bacteria. It cannot prevent the spread of the disease. Not everyone who breathes the contaminated air of TB will develop the condition.

In these cases, the disease is likely dormant and may never develop.

Tuberculosis Diagnosis

How do you know if you have tuberculosis?

This is not a disease that you can diagnose yourself. It requires the knowledge of an experienced physician familiar with specific symptoms. Fever and night sweats are two symptoms associated with TB. These along with weight loss can occur at the same time. Excessive coughing is one of the most recognizable symptoms, as well.

Physicians normally test a patient to determine if these symptoms are a result of the disease. Tuberculin is injected into the patient. If this injection causes a bump to form within 72 hours around the injection site, TB is likely present in the body.

It is important to get a correct diagnosis because of the contagious aspect of the disease. A tuberculosis mask may be necessary at this stage.

Positive Testing

Once a patient tests positive, treatment is needed. Their physician will develop a regime for this process. Prevention methods are extremely important when it comes to this disease. Many countries finance intervention efforts for patients that test positive.

In fact, the Global TB Report shows that at least $1.4B is needed annually for these initiatives. After being infected by TB, the immune system begins to respond to its existence within 2-4 weeks.

Along with the injection test, physicians apply other methods to ensure that the diagnosis is correct. An example of these methods includes taking sputum and other samples. The treatment process for the disease involves the use of antibiotics.

There is often a need for several different ones, to treat patients. This is why diagnosis is paramount so that appropriate treatments can begin.

Tuberculosis Treatment

Collaboration between patients and physicians is instrumental to the treatment process. This is the most effective way to address the disease and its symptoms. There may be a need for more than one antibiotic to treat TB. Each patient’s treatment will be tailored to them and the symptoms they are experiencing.

Generally there is a 6 month time period for the treatment of this infection. Some patients will require up to a year for this process. If a patient does not take all of their medications, they can hinder the treatment procedures.

This also may lead to them getting sick again. Following physician instructions is essential to getting healthy. Not doing so could put others at risk because of the contagious effect of TB.

Learn more: What is the Treatment for Tuberculosis

Medications

Your physician will prescribe medications based upon the type of tuberculosis you have. Those who have multidrug-resistant tuberculosis require different treatment options.

These patients do not respond to two specific antibiotics, rifampicin and isoniazid. These patients will require other antibiotics to treat their condition. The time required will be longer than those with regular TB.

Following your physician’s treatment regime is critical to overcoming this disease. This is the best way to combat the infection in your body. It is also the only way to get healthy again. The recovery time will vary depending on the patient and their severity of symptoms.

The tuberculosis vaccine is one of the most effective tools when it comes to preventing the disease. It is used not only in the United States but around the world to combat TB. This vaccine is recommended for infants to protect them. Adults, however, cannot use this vaccine to prevent lung TB. Swift treatment methods are instrumental for adults.

The treatment of tuberculosis is essential not only to the recovery of the patient. It is important to the prevention process. Those who receive proper diagnosis and treatment will not go on to infect others.

This is why specialists in this disease are so critical to these procedures. Patients must follow their physicians’ orders to get well and to keep others well.