Tuberculosis

1. Active Tuberculosis Active tuberculosis happens when TB bacteria become active in the body and start multiplying. At this stage, the person shows clear symptoms and can spread the infection to others by coughing, sneezing, or talking. Active TB usually affects the lungs but can spread to other organs if not treated.

2. Latent Tuberculosis Latent TB means that there are TB bacteria in a person’s body but they are not active. The person is not sick and cannot spread TB to others. The bacteria survive and can be reactivated if the immune system is weakened by illness, age, poor nutrition, or certain medications. Someone with latent TB has the bacteria but doesn’t know it, unless they get tested.

3. Pulmonary Tuberculosis Pulmonary tuberculosis disease mainly affects the lungs and is the most common type of TB. Since the lungs are involved, the infection spreads easily through the air from one person to another. People with pulmonary TB often develop severe cough and breathing-related problems. Smoking, weak immunity, and delayed treatment can increase the severity of pulmonary TB.

4. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Extrapulmonary tuberculosis is tuberculosis outside the lungs. It can affect the brain, spine, kidneys, bones, intestines, or lymph nodes. This type is more common in people with poor immunity such as people with HIV or other long-term illnesses. Symptoms vary by organ involved, making diagnosis difficult.

5. Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis disease develops when TB bacteria stop responding to the commonly used TB medicines. This usually happens when patients do not complete their treatment properly or skip medications regularly. MDR-TB is more difficult to treat and often requires stronger medicines and longer treatment duration compared to normal TB.

Apart from these major types, some less common forms of tuberculosis also exist, such as Miliary TB, Bone TB, Spinal TB, TB Meningitis, and Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB).

1. Symptoms of Active Tuberculosis

   Symptoms of active tuberculosis usually become noticeable within a few weeks after the bacteria become active inside the body. In addition to the common symptoms mentioned above, people with active TB may also experience:

   • Severe cough with mucus
   • Blood while coughing
   • Sharp chest pain during breathing
   • High fever
   • Heavy sweating during sleep
   • Extreme weakness
2. Symptoms of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

   The symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis mainly affect the lungs and usually develop gradually over time. Since the infection directly impacts the respiratory system, breathing-related warning signs are more common.

   Some common symptoms may include:

   • Persistent cough lasting more than two weeks
   • Cough with mucus or blood
   • Chest pain while breathing or coughing
   • Fever
   • Night sweats
   • Unexplained weight loss
   • Extreme fatigue and weakness
3. Symptoms of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

   Symptoms of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis usually appear similar to active tuberculosis but do not improve even after standard TB treatment because the bacteria become resistant to common medicines. Since the infection becomes harder to control, symptoms often persist for a longer time and may become more severe.
   The symptoms are as follows:

   • Persistent cough that does not improve even after treatment
   • Continuous fever and night sweats
   • Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
   • Severe weakness and fatigue
   • Chest pain and breathlessness
   • Coughing blood for a longer duration despite medication

1. Causes of Active Tuberculosis

   Active tuberculosis disease develops mainly due to the following:

   • Weak Immune System: People with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, or malnutrition are more likely to develop active TB because their immune system cannot fight the bacteria properly.
   • Close Contact With TB Patients: Spending long periods near someone with active TB increases the chances of inhaling TB bacteria.
   • Smoking: Smoking damages the lungs and increases the risk of severe tuberculosis infection.
   • Poor Nutrition: Lack of proper nutrition weakens the body’s natural defence system and increases susceptibility to TB.
   • Alcohol Abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption weakens immunity and affects the body’s ability to fight infections.
   • Overcrowded Living Conditions: TB spreads more easily in crowded places with poor ventilation, such as slums, prisons, shelters, and congested homes.
   • Existing Health Conditions: Diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, and HIV can increase the risk of active TB infection.
2. Causes of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

   The following are the major causes of pulmonary TB:

   • Exposure to TB Bacteria: Breathing in TB bacteria released by a person with active pulmonary TB can directly infect the lungs.
   • Weak Immune System: When the immune system is weak, it cannot stop TB bacteria from growing in the lungs and causing active disease.
   • Close Contact with Infected Person: Spending time with someone who has untreated pulmonary TB increases the chances of infection through the air.
   • Poor Living Conditions: Living in crowded and poorly ventilated places makes it easier for TB bacteria to spread and infect the lungs.
3. Causes of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

   Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis disease usually develops due to improper treatment or incomplete medication use. The common causes include:

   • Skipping TB medicines regularly
   • Stopping treatment midway
   • Incorrect dosage of medicines
   • Delayed diagnosis
   • Poor-quality medications
   • Previous incomplete TB treatment

MDR-TB is considered more serious because the infection becomes harder to cure with standard medicines.

1. Sputum Test A sample of mucus (sputum) from the lungs is tested for TB bacteria. It is a commonly used and reliable test for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB. It may take more than one sputum sample for doctors to confirm TB and to monitor recovery.

2. Chest X-Ray A chest X-ray allows doctors to visualise infection or damage in the lungs caused by TB. It may show spots, holes or fluid related to active TB. Doctors will often suggest this test if you have a long cough, chest pain or cough up blood.

3. Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test In this test, a small amount of fluid called tuberculin is injected under the skin of your arm. After 2 to 3 days, doctors check for swelling at the spot. If there is swelling, it may mean you have latent or active TB.

4. Blood Tests Blood tests can tell how your immune system responds to TB bacteria. They are commonly used to detect latent TB . These tests can be helpful if skin tests are inconclusive. Blood tests also help doctors confirm TB along with other checks.

5. CT Scan or MRI CT and MRI scans create detailed pictures of organs, tissues and bones. They help find TB outside the lungs, such as in the brain, spine or abdomen. Doctors use these scans to see how severe the infection is and where it is.

6. Biopsy A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue from an affected organ or lymph node for testing. This test helps confirm TB when symptoms are not in the lungs. The sample is looked at under a microscope for TB bacteria or damage.

7. GeneXpert Test The GeneXpert test is a highly advanced and quick test for the detection of Tuberculosis (TB). It enables doctors to quickly determine if TB bacteria are in the body. This test is usually done using a sample like sputum. The machine analyses the sample and provides the result in a few minutes.

1. Management of Active Tuberculosis

   Active tuberculosis requires regular treatment for several months to completely remove the bacteria from the body.

   • Antibiotic Treatment: TB medicines such as Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, and Pyrazinamide are commonly used together.
   • Regular Medication Schedule: Medicines must be taken daily without missing doses to avoid drug resistance.
   • Nutrition: A well-balanced diet, with adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals, can help improve immunity and aid in recovery.
   • Isolation During Early Treatment: People with active pulmonary TB may need to isolate themselves at first to avoid spreading infection.
   • Routine Medical Monitoring: Doctors monitor treatment progress and side effects regularly through follow-up visits and tests.
2. Management of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

   
   Pulmonary tuberculosis affects the lungs and needs proper treatment to stop it from spreading. Early diagnosis and regular treatment help you recover faster and avoid problems.

   • Anti-TB Medicines: Doctors generally prescribe medicines such as isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide to kill TB bacteria in the lungs.
   • Regular Medication Intake: Patients should take medicines as prescribed by the doctor for complete recovery and to avoid drug-resistant TB.
   • Proper Rest and Nutrition: Healthy food, adequate rest, and good hydration help strengthen the immune system and support faster healing.
   • Avoid Spreading Infection: Patients may need to wear masks and avoid close contact with others during the early stage of treatment to reduce transmission.
   • Regular Follow-Up Tests: Doctors may regularly recommend sputum tests and chest X-rays to monitor recovery and treatment effectiveness.
3. Management of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

   MDR-TB treatment is longer and more complicated because normal TB medicines become less effective.

   • Second-Line Medicines: Stronger antibiotics are used for drug-resistant TB infections.
   • Longer Treatment Duration: Depending on the severity of infection, treatment may continue for 9 to 24 months.
   • Regular Health Monitoring: Patients may require regular medical attention to monitor side effects and treatment response.
   • Nutritional and Mental Health Support: Proper nutrition and emotional support become very important during long-term treatment.