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Medindia » Consumer Health » Health Information » Tuberculosis - About Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis / Pulmonary Tuberculosis / Lung Tuberculosis /TB

General Info about Tuberculosis
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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 a 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
Tuberculosis or TB as it is more popularly known, is an infectious disease that is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB primarily affects the lung (80%) but can also affect other parts of the body like lymph nodes, gastro intestinal tract, genito-urinary tract, coverings of the brain (called meninges), linings of the lungs(pleura), heart(pericardium), brain, bones, joints, skin, eyes and other organs. Only hair and nails are not affected by TB. Tuberculosis germ spreads through the air that we breathe.

Latest Publication and Research on Tuberculosis - Updated on 12/06/2011

Under-two child mortality according to maternal HIV status in Rwanda: assessing outcomes within the National PMTCT Program. - Published by PubMed

Using giant African pouched rats to detect tuberculosis in human sputum samples: 2010 findings. - Published by PubMed

From DOTS to the Stop TB Strategy: DOTS coverage and trend of tuberculosis notification in Ebonyi, southeastern Nigeria, 1998-2009. - Published by PubMed

Tuberculosis among Children in Kenya: Epidemiology and Impact of HIV in Two Provinces. - Published by PubMed

Under-two child mortality according to maternal HIV status in Rwanda: assessing outcomes within the National PMTCT Program. - Published by PubMed

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Posted by:  pinch_me(Guest)  Posted on: 01/03/2012
I have been diagnosed with TB with Effusion - a fluid in the lungs. My doctor prescribed me anti-TB drugs [Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol] for 2 months for the intensive phase plus the Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) and Dibencozide for my poor appetite and discussed the normal side effects. I know that skin rashes is a common side effect of Ethambutol. But I can't take much longer this rashes because aside from its itchiness, its spread all over my abdomen. How can i solve this problem? Is there a medicine or ointment that can heal this rashes? Thank you.

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Posted by:  sfasih  Posted on: 01/06/2012
You can add Tablet Prednisolone 20mg once daily to your treatment,It will improve your symptoms.

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Posted by:  Thandazo96  Posted on: 12/09/2011
Ive been taking the TB treatment for four weeks now and I jus had milk coming out of my left nipple and I am not pregnant. Thandazo

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Posted by:  syvand  Posted on: 11/17/2011
I have been diagnosed with Potts disease and am now 6 months into the treatment with TB drugs. I have a severe reaction to these drugs creating skin rash and itching. Short of discontinuing these meds what can I do to relieve the itching while on these meds.

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Posted by:  bose55(Guest)  Posted on: 11/08/2011
a lady aged 34 yrs, has developed optic neuritis and peripheral neuropathy[sensory type] following anti-tb treatment for 1 month,consisting of rfampicin,inh,ethambutol and pyrazinamide and pyridoxine multivitamins. Now that inh and ethambutol need to be withdrawn, what should be the option and for how many months? Arjun Bose

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Posted by:  ARULMALAR.THIRUVALLUVAN  Posted on: 10/09/2011
I am 46 years old lady in India. I am taking TB medicine from 01.04.11. For the past two months i am suffering from mouth ulcer. I consulted my doctor. Even after the special treatment for the mouth ulcer I am suffering. Is there any remedy?

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Posted by:  Eshet(Guest)  Posted on: 08/10/2011
After I've taken DOTS for TB my right hand and foot gets paralyzed. What is the cause and treatment to be taken?

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Posted by:  Jamshaid  Posted on: 02/04/2011
hi this is jimi from pakistan.i am the Patient of T.B it diagnosed 2 weeks ago now i have started medicine from 30-01-2011 as per suggested be Doc. my doctor lived in other city. its hard for me to visit the doctor even once in month. i am Using Miran P Fort 4 tab in every morning before breakfast and one tab Vita 6 after breakfast. i am feeling pain in left side of my chest and in my left arm.i have so much tired from my daily office.have fever every day. its so hard to spend the day. please suggest me is is normal in T.B. and after how much time using medicine i will feel normal. this is my email id please also email me here jimich100@hotmail.com

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Posted by:  anwar1122  Posted on: 02/27/2011
i m anwar from london,, i am a patient of tb,, i felt the pain in my bones,, doctor gave me some extra medicines which i cant describe here because may b u have different problem,,, i m feeling better after that tablets,,, anwarkhorsheed@yahoo.com this is my email address ,,, send me email for more detail,,, probably your doctor needs to check yours all blood test espatialy vitamins,,,,,,,, thnx

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Posted by:  yyj123  Posted on: 10/24/2010
I am 19yr old male from past 1 month I am suffering from fever which stays for some 3 days and comes back in a week last week I was suffering from dry cough now I am feeling pain in the left side of my chest its not easy for me to travel its sense critical in my heart is there any chance of TB or lung problem please tell me i never had this kind of problem i cant eat any thing because I cant sense the taste

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Posted by:  drmehul  Posted on: 11/14/2010
fever, cough and chest pain for a month suggests definitely something wrong going on in the body. you need to visit a doctor for that. without details of your problems and chest x ray it will be difficult to pinpoint what is wrong.

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Posted by:  RedLQT  Posted on: 09/28/2010
hi there, i was diagnose with tb last two years, but until now i'm still taking oral medicine due to scar left by the the tb. is there any way that would get rid of the scar? thank you... LQT

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Posted by:  drmehul  Posted on: 11/14/2010
the scar left by TB usually never resolves. But u need not worry about it coz it is not an indicator of active disease. its like you getting some scar on face or hands, u do not take treatment for that lifelong. Having said that, which part of ur body was affected by TB? there has to be another reason why u r recieving a 2yr treatment.

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Posted by:  niskinchana  Posted on: 09/18/2010
my father is having TB lungs from past 3 months. recently he has developed increase frequency of passing stools. is this any adverse reaction to Anti TB medicine or some additional infection. if it is additional infection what should he do?

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