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Tuberculosis / Pulmonary Tuberculosis / Lung Tuberculosis /TB

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Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

It is estimated that over 8 million new cases of TB occur each year worldwide.

Tuberculosis

Generally, tuberculosis affects the lungs (known as pulmonary tuberculosis) but may spread to other organs including the lymph nodes, gastro intestinal tract, genito-urinary tract, brain, coverings of the brain (meninges) or heart (pericardium), bones, joints, skin, eyes or almost any other organ in the body. Only the hair and nails are not affected by TB.

When a person is infected with pulmonary tuberculosis, the bacteria in the lungs multiply and cause pneumonia along with chest pain, hemoptysis and a prolonged cough. The lymph nodes near the heart and lungs become enlarged. As the TB bacteria tries to spread to other parts of the body, the body's immune system often interrupts the process and forms scar tissue or fibrosis around the TB bacteria. This helps fight the infection and prevents the disease from spreading in the body and to other people. If the body's immune system is unable to fight the bacteria the disease returns to an active state with pneumonia and damage to kidneys, bones, and the meninges that line the spinal cord and brain.

Tuberculosis can be classified as latent or active.

Latent tuberculosis is when the bacteria in the body are in an inactive state and the person shows no symptoms. Latent tuberculosis is not contagious.

Active tuberculosis is contagious and can make a person sick.

TB is spread through the air when people with an active pulmonary tuberculosis infection cough, sneeze, shouts or spit.

The treatment can continue for several months and the patient has to take the medicines at the given time regularly for the prescribed duration. If TB medications are not taken as per the healthcare providers recommendations the infection may become much more difficult to treat and sometimes the TB bacteria may become resistant to treatment.

TB is a preventable disease. BCG vaccination is given to people in countries where there is high prevalence of tuberculosis.

Lately the incidence of tuberculosis is increasing due to increased HIV cases and appearance of drug resistant strains of TB.

In 1826 a physician Laennec said this about tuberculosis -
"Whatever the form in which the tuberculous matter develops, it begins as a grey, semi-transparent matter that little by little becomes yellow, opaque, and dense. Then it softens, and slowly acquires liquidity like pus. This pus when expelled through the airways leaves cavities, commonly called ulcers of the lung; that we will designate as tuberculous excavations."
-Rene-Theophile-Hyacinthe Laennec, 1826
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Posted by:  ANGRYBIRD(Guest)  Posted on: 02/27/2013
My daughter aged 10years had chine of Lymphnodes enlarged rht sid of the neck and NFAC done report says single TB bacteria cell found. Then doctor started ATT, after 10days she got high fever @103 and full total rashes. Admited in hospita. The doctor says its measles.. now the treatment for ATT stoppped and LFT reports 2 levels increased. Now i am not understanding weather that correctly dignosed TB or not . And if TB confirm how to manage the LFT levels under medication.. Presently taking RCINIC KID AND PYZINA KID tabs supporting Bcomplex. Experts kindly suggest



Posted by:  Divyasurya  Posted on: 01/11/2013
Does TB leaves a scar on the X-ray after sucking mucus from the left side of the chest ?Which disease is that which leaves such a scar?



Posted by:  Zinhle  Posted on: 01/11/2013
Does treatment make you tired all the time and your arms and legs sore and cold. I dont feel like eating at all. What supplements can I take or shakes that I can take when taking treatment.And can you be pregnant when taking this medication and is there any risks with the baby.



Posted by:  BIG_BOSS(Guest)  Posted on: 08/12/2012
Hey all, its been 1 week now after i completed 6 months of treatment[for enlarged lymb nodes]. Feel normal so far. For all those starters who are taking tb treatment there might be difficulty when taking the drugs at initial stage. However once the body gets used to anti biotics, it just gets normal. Initially first month your body will be put to the test since you might have fever, nausea, headaches etc. This is a good sign since it shows that the anti-biotics is working. Best sign is that there will be fever initially and then it one day (after three weeks of treatment) , just disappears. But please do take care to take the medications at the right time and try to never miss any dose. two liver enzymes will show elevated levels, which is normal. Not a panic situation. However if you have nausea which is abnormal, then please check Liver test function. Tb drugs are all designed to SEARCH AND DESTROY the tb germs. And please dont forget to google everything that you see abnormal. Best of luck !!!


Posted by:  malasar(Guest)  Posted on: 12/21/2012
Hi .... can you please tell me as to how did you get your TB of Lymph Node diagnosed .... I have 2 small lymph nodes enlarged on the right side of my neck. I did a FNAC and the report was negative for Granulomas or malignancy. Hence TB or Cancer is ruled out. The Lymph nodes are still there [~1-1.5 cm]and there is a slight pain and discomfort in my neck. I dont want to start TB medicines without proper diagnosis and a concluded TB. Can you please guide me as to how was your diagnosis done? Anyone else also, please guide me with your experiences.



Posted by:  rayven(Guest)  Posted on: 02/24/2013
hi..i also have 3 lymphnodes on my ryt neck and 2 others ryt above my right chest swolen..i,ve been diagnosed and found to have TB..my doctor advised me to take anti tb drugs which is the quadtab[refampicin,isoniazid,ethambutol,pyrazinamide] for 2months and 4mos of tritab (refampicin,isoniazid,ethambutol)..and yes for the first month i have a lot of abnormal feeling with my body,always dizzy,low apetite,weakness and more..now its my 3rd month taking these medicines and i can see and feel that my lymphnodes reduce its size but it stop to get smaller since my 2nd month of treatment,will it be gone if i finished my 6month treatment?




Posted by:  carolmwansa  Posted on: 06/20/2012
i was found with tb of lymphynodes and i was put on a drug called Rifampicin and vitamin b6 and septrin.my biggest problem now is i cant eat nausea,weak,headaches,fever.what should i do?



Posted by:  ammmu(Guest)  Posted on: 06/11/2012
Which Doctor do i need to consult to get treatment for Tuberculosis in Hyderabad. Do i need to consult Physician or any specialist doctor or MD.


Posted by:  nondoc(Guest)  Posted on: 07/18/2012
Yes, you need to consult physician. Hope you have done that already.




Posted by:  opsingh73243  Posted on: 05/29/2012
my mother 62 year[Diabetic] is diagnose from TB .she has taking ante TB drug since 45 days.After taking drug she has relief from fever and cough but vomiting tendency has been started.The doctor has advised to do blood test like SGPT(104) and serum belirumin (1.45).After seeing blood test report Dr has advised to stop TB drug for 10 days.Whether this treatment is correct or not? Kindly give us advice


Posted by:  chestdss(Guest)  Posted on: 06/08/2012
yes it is right,some of the anti tb drugs esp rifampicin can cause acute liver damage, your sgpt has increased from normal 45 to 104,suggesting some liver damage.so att has to be stoppedfor few days and can be restsrted with lft monitoring




Posted by:  mohim  Posted on: 04/14/2012
i suffered from tb 2 years ago got the treatment dr prescribed me streptomicine injection for 60 days done all. Now i am suffering from gas problem and bowl irregularity please help me out took several medicine but all in vain. Along with bowl mucus falls and colour of boul frequently changes.i



Posted by:  srinivas24(Guest)  Posted on: 04/07/2012
hi ,this is srinivas.I have taken anti TB drugs for unidentified leg bone problem 20 years back[at age of 6].From that point onwards suffering with stammering .Any help



Posted by:  Athar  Posted on: 03/05/2012
I am Athar. I am suffering from cough for the last three weeks. No other symptoms. I used to suffer from Phileria, esinophilis. Earlier whenever I suffered from cough, sneezing, knee or foot pain I used to take Benocide Forte tabs for one week and got relief. Once Phileria attacked my hydrocil also and I got operated for that 4 years ago. This time I also took Benocide Fort for cough but no relief. Pl. tell me my cough is due to TB or any thing else?




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