What is it?
Bacterial infection mainly in the lungs.
- The infection causes nodules known as tubercles, or Ghon focii, which are spots left by dead infected tissue in the lungs and the bacteria is usually stopped by macrophages in our lungs, but this bacteria can survive inside them and are then stopped by our immune system and become ‘inactive’ (latent TB infection).
- In healthy individuals our body stop this condition in becoming active and hence causes no symptoms and is not contagious; this is known as latent TB infection.
- It is possible to live with latent TB without ever developing the ‘active form’ of the disease, though most do develop the ‘active’ form.
- People who have a weak immune system are particularly vulnerable and TB bacteria can become ‘active’ and show symptoms and hence can spread to others.
- Those with latent TB should be treated as to prevent the disease to become an ‘active’ form.
Travelling to regions where TB rates are high also increases your risk of contracting the infection.
These regions include:
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- India
- Mexico and other Latin American countries
- China and many other Asian countries
- parts of Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union
- islands of Southeast Asia
- Micronesia
This condition can lead to:
Ascites
- An increased or high level of fluid collection within the peritoneum (the sac that contains the intestines within the abdominal cavity- the outside lining of the organs – this space has peritoneal fluid which helps to reduce friction between the belly and the organs during digestion).
- The blood volume is reduced and the kidney then responds and try to retain salt and water in the body, this causes further swelling.
- Ascites can also be caused by cancer, heart failure, kidney failure, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), and tuberculosis affecting the lining of the abdomen.
- Symptoms include:
- Increased abdominal swelling and belly size
- Ankle swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
- Appetite loss
Varices
- Described as enlarged veins. Blood that is meant for the portal system, is diverted to and gathers in other veins as it makes its way to the heart these include along the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum and/or anus.
- This can put pressure on blood vessels and they can rupture and bleed.
Anyone with the above condition and bleeds from any orifice must seek urgent medical attention
Diagnosis Tests
- Rapid molecular diagnostic tests (Xpert MTB/RIF ultra Treunat)
- Terbuclin skin test (TST) – if results are negative: repeat test after been in infected area after 8 weeks
- Interferoongamma release assay (IGRA) – if results are negative: repeat test after been in infected area after 8 weeks
- Sputum cultures
- Chest x-rays
Types of Tuberculosis
National Organisation for Rare Diseases
Persons of low income and/or homeless and/or prisons or those who do not have access to and/or resources for healthcare are at high risk to contract TB.
Contagious
- If you’re diagnosed with pulmonary TB, you’ll be contagious for about two to three weeks into your course of treatment.
- You won’t usually need to be isolated during this time, but it’s important to take some basic precautions to stop the infection spreading to your family and friends.
- You should:
- Stay away from work, school or college until your TB treatment team advises you it’s safe to return
- Always cover your mouth when coughing, sneezing or laughing
- Carefully dispose of any used tissues in a sealed plastic bag
- Open windows when possible to ensure a good supply of fresh air in the areas where you spend time
- Avoid sleeping in the same room as other people
NHS choices
Cause
- Bacteria: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium africanum, Mycobacteria bovis
- Direct contact: If infected person is of close proximity, talking, sneezes, cough, kissing and one breathes the virus in.
- Drinking unpasteurized dairy products or other exposures to infected animals.
- Vitamin D deficiency
Symptoms
Lungs:
- Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
- General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
- High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
- Night sweats?
- Initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
- Unexplained weight loss?
Outside Lungs:
- Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
- Swollen lymph glands and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
- Joint stiffness and pain?
- Groin pain (male only)?
- Burning sensation when urinate?
- Frequent urgent to pass urine and at night?
- Rectal bleeding?
- Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
Nail changes:
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Medical Emergency Condition
And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance
This condition can lead to:
Pregnancy
If Planning to get pregnant or have this condition in the past :
This condition can lead to:
- Menstruation problems
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Low birth weigh babies
- Unborn or just baby could have tuberculosis
Contagious
- If you’re diagnosed with pulmonary TB, you’ll be contagious for about two to three weeks into your course of treatment.
- You won’t usually need to be isolated during this time, but it’s important to take some basic precautions to stop the infection spreading to your family and friends.
- You should:
- Stay away from work, school or college until your TB treatment team advises you it’s safe to return
- Always cover your mouth when coughing, sneezing or laughing
- Carefully dispose of any used tissues in a sealed plastic bag
- Open windows when possible to ensure a good supply of fresh air in the areas where you spend time
- Avoid sleeping in the same room as other people
NHS choices
H.I.V test
- A H.I.V test should be offered if one has this condition.
This condition can cause the symptoms of:
This condition may show similar symptoms to:
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Tuberculosis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
- NHS
Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).
- Medscape
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- Pharmaceutical Journal
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- Healthline
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- Medical News Today
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- WebMD
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- Cleveland Clinic
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- Mayo Clinic
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- Drugs.com
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- National Organisation of Rare Diseases
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- Verywell Health
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- Fit for Travel
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- DR Axe
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