What is Latent Tuberculosis - Knowing the Facts and Myths

Latent tuberculosis describes a situation where someone has the bacteria that cause tuberculosis in their system, but that bacteria are not active at the moment.

In addition, individuals who may suffer from latent tuberculosis do not show the symptoms commonly associated with the disease, which makes it a lot harder for them to realize they might be carrying the disease.

Known specifically as Latent Tuberculosis Infection, or LBTI, this condition means that you are currently in a state where your immune system is constantly fighting off the tuberculosis bacteria and preventing them from showing any symptoms.

Right now, there is no scientific test to immediately identify whether a person has the latent tuberculosis condition.

Bodies such as the World Health Organization estimate that around a third of the world’s population may have a latent form of the tuberculosis bacteria in their bodies right now. However, they are not currently in danger of activation.

It is also estimated that only between 5 and 10 percent of those people will ever develop serious symptoms in their lifetime. Despite that low percentage, there are some risks that can increase the chances of activation.

Symptoms of Latent Tuberculosis

There are no symptoms of latent tuberculosis, which is why it is so difficult to know if someone has the bacteria in their body.

Latent Tuberculosis Treatment and Diagnosis

There are some specific tests you can undergo if you fear that you have the tuberculosis bacteria in your body.

This is a common fear among people who have a family member that is recently diagnosed. For example, if your husband or wife recently got a diagnosis of a type of tuberculosis, there is a chance you might have the bacteria in your body already.

It is better to get tested immediately so doctors can kill the bacteria before it has a chance to become active and cause any damage.

The two main tests are the Tuberculin Skin Test, or TST, and the Interferon-Gamma Release Arrays (IGRAs) test.

There are some problems with these tests, because they can flag false positives in people who just recovered from the TB bacteria over the past few months. In addition, the tests are completely unreliable at predicting who is at greater risk of the bacteria transforming from passive into active.

However, if you have never had TB before and you do not want to take any chances, a positive result means doctors can take measures to try and kill the bacteria inside your body.

If you live in a developed country, you are often given the TST or IGRAs test to see if you are an appropriate candidate for treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. People who live in low income countries are regularly given the TST examination.

In terms of treatment, the methods that doctors currently use are very effective at eliminating the bacteria and allowing patients to live a healthy life. Not only does this treatment help individuals from never getting the disease, it also prevents any future possibility that they will spread the condition to other people.

If you have LTBI, the treatments are effectively lowering your risk of getting the active disease by more than 60 percent. The treatments are often more successful in developed nations where medical staff are better trained and the facilities are at a higher standard.

The World Health Organization has these recommendations for treating LTBI:

• Isoniazid every day for between six to nine months

• Three months of rifapentine, along with isoniazid every week

If you are thinking about LTBI treatment for yourself or a loved one, think about the following risk factors that increase the chances of TB activating in a person’s body:

• HIV/AIDS

• Contact with someone who had the infection.

• Dialysis treatments.

• Organ transplants.

• Silicosis.

• Imprisoned for any period of time or recently immigrated from a country with high TB rates.

• Being homeless and/or abusing a number of illegal drugs.

Tuberculosis

When discussing latent tuberculosis, it is important to take a closer look at the condition in general.

Tuberculosis is a type of bacterial infection that often spreads through our lymph nodes. When these bacteria are active, they are capable of traveling from the lymph nodes, through the bloodstream and into any organ in the body.

According to research and statistics, the tuberculosis bacteria commonly converge around the lungs, which is where the first symptomatic body reactions also take place.

The fact that you can have tuberculosis or latent TB makes the bacteria even more complicated. In theory, someone could walk around for ten or fifteen years with these bacteria in their system, but they will never get sick from TB or show any symptoms.

The likelihood of a person’s latent TB developing into regular tuberculosis is most often determined by the proficiency of their immune system.

It is for this reason that individuals who have some other condition, such as HIV/AIDS or diabetes, are at far greater risk of becoming active and showing symptoms. Their immune system also has a harder time recovering when the TB bacteria becomes active.

This problem is also prevalent among people who abuse substances such as alcohol and hard drugs. Substance abusers likely have a very unhealthy lifestyle, which weakens their immune system and puts them at serious risk of getting sick from TB.

What Does It Mean to Have Tuberculosis?

If a doctor tells you that you have tuberculosis, it means that your body is experiencing the growth of tubercles, or nodules, within its tissues. This growth results in the disease of tuberculosis spreading, with the tubercles usually attacking the lymph nodes or lungs.

What Causes Tuberculosis?

When you come into contact with someone who is showing signs of tuberculosis, you have a chance of contracting the bacteria from them.

However, this contracting of the bacteria is only possible if you are spending an extended period of time with the person. This is why family members or people in relationships often transfer the bacteria to each other through airborne means.

If you are worried that someone in your family or circle of friends might have tuberculosis, the best preventative measure is to wear a facemask. These antibacterial facemasks help you protect your body from getting the condition through airborne means. The masks also serve an important purpose for anyone who has TB, because they ensure these people are not spreading it to anyone who sits near them.

Further Reading:

• What is Miliary Tuberculosis

• Signs and Symptoms of Tuberculosis

• What is the Treatment for Tuberculosis