Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death in the world, and its prevalence is increasing in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization, nearly a quarter of the world’s population has latent tuberculosis. Given its seriousness, know the most important Tuberculosis symptoms Who are most at risk of infection, methods of treatment and how to prevent it.

what is Tuberculosis ?

Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease caused by the infection of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) of the lungs. The bacteria can be transmitted from an infected person to another person through coughing and sneezing droplets that are transmitted through the air.

Although tuberculosis usually affects the lungs, it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, brain, bone marrow, and spine. In this case, the symptoms of tuberculosis may vary according to the affected body part.

It is worth noting that the immune system may help protect the body from the risk of contracting tuberculosis, but in the event of infection, prompt treatment is required.

With the multiplicity of drugs used to treat tuberculosis, many strains of tuberculosis are able to resist many of the drugs used in treatment. So a person with active tuberculosis is given many types of drugs for several months so that the drugs can fight the infection and reduce antibiotic resistance.

Tuberculosis symptoms

Some people may be infected with TB bacteria without showing any symptoms, which is known as latent or inactive TB. The disease may remain dormant for several years before turning into an active disease. Either in the case of active tuberculosis infection or the latent disease turns into active, it usually causes many symptoms, which may vary according to the severity of the case. Symptoms of tuberculosis are:

• Cough for 3 weeks or longer
• fever
• pain in chest
• Anorexia
• Weight loss
• Stress and weakness
• coughing up blood
• night sweats

If left untreated, tuberculosis may become fatal. Complications of tuberculosis:

• Spinal pain
• Liver or kidney problems
• Joint damage (usually the hips and knees)
• Inflammation of the tissues surrounding the heart
• Swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain (meningitis)
• Damage to the lung, bones, brain, spinal cord, or lymph nodes

Who are most susceptible to it?

Some people are at increased risk of contracting TB, such as:

• Smokers
• drinking alcohol
• Take drugs
• Kidney patients
• Diabetics
• Patients with some types of cancer
• People with HIV
• People who suffer from malnutrition
• Those taking medications used after an organ transplant
• People with a weakened immune system

Taking some types of medications may also increase the risk of tuberculosis, such as some medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, cancer, and Crohn’s disease.

Tuberculosis treatment

Many bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics for one to two weeks. However, if symptoms of tuberculosis appear, the doctor will prescribe to the patient a group of medicines (4 antimicrobial drugs) that must be taken for a period ranging from 6 to 9 months.

The patient must commit to taking the full dose according to the instructions of the attending physician. It is one of the most common types of tuberculosis treatment drugs:

• isoniazid
• ethambutol
• Rifampin

However, it should be noted that some tuberculosis medications may affect the liver, so be aware of the symptoms of liver disease to prevent any possible complications. In the event that any of its symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor immediately.

How to prevent tuberculosis?

Most people are at risk of contracting tuberculosis. Therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness of its symptoms and work to prevent it. Among the methods of prevention:

• Avoid crowded places.
• Keeping the rooms of the house or office ventilated.
• Avoid direct contact with people with symptoms of the disease.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Drug treatment.
• Use tissues to cover the mouth in case of sneezing or coughing.
• Interest in eating healthy foods that help boost and strengthen the immune system.
• Obligation to wear medical masks in case of injury or when dealing with an infected person.
• Obtaining the tuberculosis vaccine, known as Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, which is a vaccine that protects against some types of tuberculosis or tuberculosis strains.

Therefore, if any of the symptoms of tuberculosis are suspected, you should immediately consult a doctor to protect you and your loved ones from the danger of this disease and its severe complications.