Symptoms of Tuberculosis

Content Writer-SME

Tuberculosis commonly called TB, is a communicable disease which is spread through inhaling the airborne TB bacteria by healthy individuals. As per World Health Organization’s annual report, TB has become the second deadliest disease after pandemic. Primary TB infection can quickly progress to active TB disease in patients with compromised immune systems. The deadly diseases that weakens the immune system are:

HIV/AIDS
Cancer
Diabetes
Severe Heart & Kidney Diseases

What is Tuberculosis?

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Tuberculosis also called TB, is a serious communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease mainly affects the lungs and can be cured by antibiotics in initial stages. The infection starts when the causative agent of TB enters the lungs and multiplies.

Individuals who have active tuberculosis infections can transmit the disease quickly.
They release microscopic droplets into the atmosphere, which disperse the germs.
The TB bateria can be spread through sneezing, coughing or singing.
The spread of TB infection from lungs to other parts of the body is called extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Stages of Tuberculosis

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The spread of TB infection can be more serious in crowded areas or areas where people are not very aware. The type of tuberculosis depends on the parts of the body that are affected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The symptoms are categorized in three main stages:

Primary TB Infection:

Primary infection is the first stage of the disease that develops in individuals without any specific defenses. Although an initial outbreak can happen at any age, the risk is high during puberty.

Latent TB Infection:

Latent tuberculosis infection usually occurs after primary infection. TB germs cause immune system cells to surround lung tissue in a wall. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) patients do not experience symptoms. Even though they do not show any symptoms, they could develop active tuberculosis.

Active TB Infection:

This is the third and the most serious type of TB that occurs mainly in women and children. In this type of infection, the immune system of the patient fails to respond and fight against the disease.

Signs and Symptoms of TB

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Primary TB Infection	Latent TB Infection:	Active TB Infection
Coughing Low Fever Fatigue	No Symptoms	Cough with Mucus or Blood. Discomfort in Breathing Weight Loss Fatigue Chest Pain Fever Lungs Infection Sweating

Things to Remember

The term "tuberculosis" derives from the Latin word "nodule" meaning something sticky.
The full form of TB is Tuberculosis and the active symptoms are categorized in three stages: Primary infection, Latent tuberculosis infection, and Active tuberculosis condition.
This infectious disease is often localized to the lungs and is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
The TB testing is done through Interferon Gamma Release Assay or IGRA technique.

Sample Questions

Ques. Can tuberculosis disappear on its own? (2 marks)

Ans. Although the disease frequently reactivates, active TB symptoms sometimes appear to disappear. The course of treatment for tuberculosis is long and may come back if proper medication is not followed.

Ques. What foods should one avoid when suffering from tuberculosis?(2 marks)

Ans. Fatigue, severe diarrhea, and stomach cramps are among the symptoms of tuberculosis that are triggered by deep-fried foods. The food products which should be avoided during medication are

Refined foods such as baked items, chips, white breads, & processed food items,
Red Meat,
Sugary drinks such as soft drinks, soda, & energy drinks,

Ques. Can people with tuberculosis consume milk?(2 marks)

Ans. Yes, patients suffering from TB can consume milk as it provides extra calories for their speedy recovery. Eating foods with lots of calories can provide the required energy.

Apart from milk, they can also add other high-calorie items to their diet such as:

Avocados,
Cheese,
Almonds,
Peanut Butter,
Yoghurt,
Dry Fruits, and
Dark Chocolate.

Ques. How can I test for tuberculosis at home?(2 marks)

Ans. Currently, home kits for tuberculosis testing are not accessible. A healthcare provider must carefully assess tests to determine whether a patient has latent or active TB symptoms.

Ques. How can tuberculosis be confirmed?(2 marks)

Ans. One method to determine whether you have tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in your body is to undergo a blood test, commonly known as an Interferon Gamma Release Assay, or IGRA.

Ques. What is the main cause of tuberculosis?(2 marks)

Ans.TB is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually spreads when a healthy person comes into contact with an infected person or inhales airborne droplets containing TB germs.

The bacteria enters the lungs and further moves to other parts of the body through blood.
The most infectious type of tuberculosis is pulmonary tuberculosis.

Ques. Can TB be prevented with a vaccination?(2 marks)

Ans. Yes, TB can be prevented with a vaccine called Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The vaccine is primarily administered to children in areas with high incidence of tuberculosis to avoid meningitis and tuberculosis.

Ques. What are the essential nutrients required for gaining immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis?(2 marks)

Ans. Important micronutrients that are essential for triggering immune response include zinc and selenium. They can be found in abundance in mushrooms, nuts, and seeds, such as flax, sesame, pumpkin, and chia seeds.