Tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases in the Arab world, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This disease is considered a serious disease because it has health risks that may lead to death. Learn in this article about Tuberculosis symptoms different types and causes.

What is tuberculosis and its types?

Tuberculosis is another name for a disease tuberculosis (TuberculosisIt is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs, but it can also spread to the brain and spinal cord. In the past, tuberculosis was difficult to treat and therefore was one of the causes of death worldwide, but now it can be treated, but it lasts for a long period of time.

Tuberculosis types

There are two types of tuberculosis, they are:

Latent TB

It means that the patient is a carrier of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, but it is in a lethargic state that does not cause a feeling of illness and does not cause infection to others. This happens when the immune system is strong and is able to prevent the disease from spreading, but the infection may activate in the event that the immune system becomes weak, or in the case of infection Others during the last two years, or in the case of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, here the doctor will prescribe drugs that work to prevent the activity of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

Active tuberculosis (TB).

In this case, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis becomes active and divides and spreads to become infectious to other people. It also causes many symptoms in the patient. It is worth noting that about 90% of active tuberculosis cases were originally dormant tuberculosis cases.

Tuberculosis symptoms

The appearance of symptoms here depends on the type of disease and the affected organ in the body, and the symptoms develop gradually, so the patient may not notice anything wrong until weeks after the infection has passed, and the symptoms are as follows:

Symptoms of inactive tuberculosis

Usually, a patient with dormant tuberculosis does not show any symptoms, because the bacteria here are in a dormant state that does not cause any fatigue to the patient, and this may continue for months or even years before the disease becomes in an active state that causes symptoms, and the bacteria may not be active at all.

General symptoms of active tuberculosis

Here comes the question.How do I know the symptoms of tuberculosis?”, Active tuberculosis usually shows several common symptoms that may be due to tuberculosis or may have other causes, such as:

• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• high fever
• night sweats
• Feeling exhausted and very tired.

However, these signs may be for other reasons, and here we must mention in detail the symptoms of tuberculosis according to the affected part of the body, as follows:

Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis

It is the common case of tuberculosis that affects the lung, and its symptoms include:

• A persistent cough for more than 3 weeks, accompanied by sputum and sometimes blood.
• Shortness of breath, which gets worse over time.

Tuberculosis symptoms outside the lung

It is not common for tuberculosis to affect other parts of the body outside the lung, but it may affect the lymph nodes, bones and joints, the digestive system, the bladder and the reproductive system, the brain and nerves, and the most affected by this type are people who suffer from a weak immune system.

With the injury of these parts, some symptoms may appear, the most important of which are:

• from Symptoms of tuberculosis in the neck It is common for persistent swelling and swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.
• Feeling pain in the abdomen.
• symptom Tuberculosis in the bones Feeling pain and difficulty moving in the affected bones and joints.
• Feeling confused and disoriented.
• Constant headache.
• Convulsive seizures.

Tuberculosis symptoms in children

Children younger than 15 years of age are among the most vulnerable groups to contract tuberculosis, due to their weak immune system. They are also the most vulnerable to infection with the active form of tuberculosis. Symptoms that appear in children include:

• Cough.
• fever.
• Feeling of general weakness, fatigue, and lack of activity of the child.
• Imbalance in growth and weight loss.
• night sweats

Causes and risk factors for tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a type of bacteria called (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) which is transmitted from one person to another through coughing or sneezing spray that carries bacteria, and in order for a person to become infected, he must spend a long time and closely with an infected person, as for the risk factors that cause infection are:

• People who live in areas where tuberculosis infection is prevalent, or even those returning from it after staying there for a long time.
• Living or being in close contact for a long time with someone who has tuberculosis.
• life in crowded places.
• Having diseases that weaken the immune system, such as diabetes.
• Taking drugs that weaken the immune system, such as chemotherapy.
• Children and the elderly are more susceptible due to their weakened immune systems.
• Poor health in general and a diet that lacks many nutrients due to lifestyle, such as drug addicts, alcoholics, and the homeless.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis

After asking the patient about the symptoms of tuberculosis that appeared on him and after a physical examination, the doctor will do the following:

• A subcutaneous test, where a substance will be injected under the skin of the outer part of the arm, then it will wait for 48-72 hours. If swelling, red swelling, and hardness appear at the injection site, tuberculosis infection may be confirmed, but sometimes an error may occur in the result of this test.
• A blood test that detects both types of tuberculosis, as it measures the immune system’s reaction to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.
• After a test under the skin, your doctor may order an X-ray or CT scan of your lung.
• If the X-ray shows signs of tuberculosis, the doctor may request a sample of the sputum that accompanies the cough, to check for the presence of bacteria.

Tuberculosis treatment

After confirming the infection with tuberculosis, the treatment phase comes, which can never be neglected as it will continue for a relatively long period, because tuberculosis may cause death if it is not treated properly.

In case Treating active tuberculosisThe doctor will prescribe antibiotics, which will last for at least 6 or 9 months, and the length of treatment depends on the patient’s condition and age, the extent of his body’s resistance to the drugs.

Tuberculosis treatment drugs

In the case of dormant tuberculosis, it is possible to take only two types of these drugs, but in the case of active tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis, it will require taking more than two types of drugs together at the same time, such as isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide.

In case drug-resistant tuberculosisIt may require the addition of other types of antibiotics and other medications that may continue treatment for 20-30 months.

Finally, you should know that infection with tuberculosis is not the end of life. The disease can only be controlled and requires a lot of patience and following the doctor’s instructions. Tuberculosis symptoms One of those close to you should advise you to visit the doctor as soon as possible so that he can take the necessary measures early, and if you have any questions, you can consult one of our doctors from here.