Introduction
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a highly infectious disease most often affecting the lungs but capable of infecting other body parts, such as the kidneys, bones, and brain. Caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world today. Its deadly strikes even with available remedies. It’s still a big public health issue worldwide, particularly in less industrialized countries. Knowing its causes, effects, and preventive measures is necessary to stop its further spread.
Causes of Tuberculosis
The TB bacterium comprises Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks and moves into close proximity with the attacked area through inhalation. In addition, there are patients who have weakened immune systems, mainly HIV/AIDS patients, people suffering from malnutrition, and those chronic diseases, and it is more likely that TB will occur. Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions are other risk factors for acquiring TB.
Although pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common form of TB, which involves the lungs, the bacterium may spread to other organs and cause extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The extrapulmonary forms are seen more in people who have immunity deficiencies. They are not easy to diagnose and treat.
Effects of TB
The differences in symptoms for latent and active infection are as follows: In latent TB, the bacterium has invaded the body but remains dormant and symptom-free. Years can pass and cause no harm to the individual, but if the immune system becomes severely weakened, latent TB can become active. Active TB is where the bacterium has multiplied and is giving some symptoms of illness.
Pulmonary TB may present with the following symptoms:
a. Persistent cough, often with bloody sputum
b. Night sweats
c. Weight loss
d. fatigue and weakness
e. Fever and chills
f. Shortness of breath and chest pain
Extrapulmonary TB can affect a variety of organs. The symptoms would depend on where the infection may have settled, such as abdominal pain, joint pain, or even neurological problems. In the worst scenario, if left untreated, TB can cause severe damage to the lungs and other organs, and death in extreme cases.
The diagnosis of TB does not end at just one test but takes a series of tests. Chest X-rays are usually used in the diagnosis of the direct lung damage that TB causes. A sputum test may be conducted to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The tuberculin skin test, also known as TST or interferon-gamma release assays, is also applied to diagnose latent TB infections.
Secondary investigations such as CT scans, biopsies, and even cultures from the blood may also be done to identify the specific location of infection in a patient with extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Treatment of Tuberculosis
TB is curable by antibiotics but has to be taken with very high strictness in terms of dosage and duration. Generally, active TB requires one to take up the four drugs that include isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol.
The duration of the treatment may be six to nine months based on the degree of infection and type of TB. In most cases, patients have to undergo a full course of treatment regardless of any sign that they get better.
In MDR-TB or XDR-TB cases, it becomes much more complicated with treatment, involving perhaps second-line drugs that are less potent and have high side effects.
Prevention of Tuberculosis
TB prevention is concerned primarily with trying to reduce the spread of the bacteria. The following measures can prove effective in controlling TB:
Immunization: Vaccination against TB generally consists of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine for most of the world. While it certainly does not offer 100% protection, it does protect far better than anything else against the severe forms of TB in children.
Practices of Good Hygiene: The individual should cover his or her mouth when coughing or sneezing and wear masks in public places to minimize the spread of the bacteria.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment Early and proper treatment of active TB can drastically reduce its spread. One of the most crucial tools to facilitate early detection is to seek active TB in populations with high risks of infection, especially those impacted by HIV.
Better Living Conditions: TB thrives extremely well in crowded and relatively less ventilated sites. Creating better living environments through decent housing and sanitation could help control the spread of the disease.
Health Education: Public education on the symptomatology of TB and engagement of the public to report to a health facility anytime they may feel they have the disease will reduce the rates of passing the infection to others.
New Challenges in TB Control
Despite the tremendous strides made so far in diagnosis and the treatment of TB, several difficulties remain to date. Clearly, the challenge that poses the greatest difficulty has been drug resistance, especially in the forms of MDR-TB and XDR-TB. Moreover, many countries with the highest burden of TB lack the healthcare infrastructure and access to medications.
Moreover, the stigma attached to TB is also a reason for delayed diagnosis and treatment. People generally avoid approaching a clinic out of fear of discrimination, thereby unknowingly spreading the disease further.
Conclusion
Tuberculosis is a global health issue that requires collective action to control the disease. Early detection, proper treatment, and preventive measures like vaccination and better living conditions are needed to reduce the impact caused by TB. As research on newer treatments and vaccines is advanced, it’s likely that still better tools to fight TB will be found. Public efforts in increasing awareness about the consequences of drug resistance and TB would give a fillip to the overall eradication of TB worldwide.
