What is tuberculous

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Basic TB Facts. Minus Related Pages. How TB Spreads. TB Risk Factors. Some people are more likely than others to develop TB disease once they have TB infection.

This includes people with HIV infection, people who were recently exposed to someone with TB disease, and people with certain medical conditions.

TB disease can be treated by taking several drugs for 6 to 12 months. It is very important that people who have TB disease finish the medicine, and take the drugs exactly as prescribed.

If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs. TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat. In some situations, staff of the local health department meet regularly with patients who have TB to watch them take their medications. This is called directly observed therapy DOT.

DOT helps the patient complete treatment in the least amount of time. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Tuberculosis TB. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Fact Sheets. Minus Related Pages. These factors also make the disease harder to treat and more likely to return after treatment. Quitting smoking and avoiding contact with smoke can reduce the risk of developing TB.

Some other health issues that weaken the immune system and can increase the risk of developing TB include:. Also, some medical treatments, such as an organ transplant, impede the functioning of the immune system. Spending time in a country where TB is common can also increase the risk of developing it. If it spreads throughout the body, the infection can cause problems with the cardiovascular system and metabolic function , among other issues.

TB can also lead to sepsis , a potentially life threatening form of infection. An active TB infection is contagious and potentially life threatening if a person does not receive appropriate treatment. However, most cases are treatable, especially when doctors detect them early. Anyone with a high risk of developing TB or any symptoms of the disease should see a doctor as soon as possible. Read the article in Spanish. A sack-like tissue called the pericardium surrounds the heart.

Inflammation of the pericardium causes symptoms similar to a heart attack. Bibasilar atelectasis is when a lung or lobe in one of the lungs collapses. It is most common when a person is still in the hospital following a….

Restrictive lung diseases prevent the lungs from expanding fully. Some examples include sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Learn more here. What is a TB blood test and how does it work? Read on to learn more about TB blood tests, including how to interpret results and who should get one.

All you need to know about tuberculosis TB. Medically reviewed by Adithya Cattamanchi, M. What is tuberculosis? It's vital that people with TB disease complete their full course of medication exactly as prescribed.

Otherwise, the disease can return and be more resistant to treatment. Keeping your immune system healthy and avoiding exposure to someone with active TB is the best way to prevent a TB infection.

Identifying and treating cases of latent TB, before the disease can become active, is also important, particularly in high-risk populations. Learn More About Preventing Tuberculosis. If left untreated TB can affect other parts of the body, beyond the lungs. Back pain , joint damage, and liver or kidney problems, can result, as can swelling of the membranes around your brain. Ultimately, untreated TB can be fatal, notes the Mayo Clinic.

While most people are able to tolerate the drugs well during treatment, TB medication can lead to some complications, as well. It can be hard on the liver. The following symptoms are considered serious side effects and should be reported to your doctor: 5,6, Improving your diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular exercise can also help your body recover and avoid adding extra strain on the liver.

In , 10 million people got sick from the disease and an estimated 1. Worldwide, tuberculosis is among the top 10 causes of death and it is a leading cause of death for people with an HIV infection. As mentioned above, certain health conditions increase the risk for TB.

The risk of TB is 2 to 3 times greater in people with diabetes compared with those without diabetes. And each condition can worsen the other, according to the WHO. There's also a risk involved with taking certain biologic drugs used to treat autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease an inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis.

Biologic medication that suppresses the immune system can increase the possibility of activating latent TB, according to UpToDate. The CDC has a comprehensive site on tuberculosis, including everything from basic info about TB, to how TB affects certain populations, to the latest data and stats and research efforts. The WHO offers an international perspective on tuberculosis, with data about the disease and the toll it takes worldwide.

Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic provides an up-to-date review of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of TB , as well as info on which doctors treat the disease. Curry International Tuberculosis Center.

They provide educational resources to the general public and in-depth materials for healthcare professionals as well as those working with at-risk populations. American Lung Association. For clear, patient-centered information about TB, visit the American Lung Association which has a page on questions to ask your doctor if you're concerned about TB.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: April 27, Medically Reviewed. Instead, the infection may go through three stages: Primary TB Infection This is when the bacteria first enters your body.

In many people this causes no symptoms, but others may experience fever or pulmonary symptoms.