040 68334455
WhatsApp
Patient Portal
Home Care
Tuberculosis : Classification and Overview
Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Sudheer Tale , Pulmonologists
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by bacteria that mostly attacks the lungs. But it can also spread to other parts of the body, like the brain, kidneys, or spine. If TB is not treated properly, it can become serious and even lead to death. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent severe complications.
What Is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria mycobacterium tuberculosis. It's a global health crisis that affects about 10 million people worldwide.
It spreads through air droplets.TB primarily targets the lungs but can also damage other organs, such as the kidneys and brain. The good news is that TB is both curable and preventable.
What are the Types of Tuberculosis?
The types of tuberculosis are separated based on where the infection occurs in the body. Which affects the lungs, while extrapulmonary and other organs like the brain, spine, kidneys, or lymph nodes.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)
Pulmonary TB is the most common form and mainly affects the lungs. It spreads easily through the air when someone with TB coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Common signs include a long-lasting cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, night sweats, and weight loss. Early treatment is important to stop the spread to others.
Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB)
Extrapulmonary TB happens when the infection spreads outside the lungs to other parts of the body, like the kidneys, spine, brain, lymph nodes, or bones.
This type is less contagious but can still be serious and harder to detect. Symptoms vary depending on the organ involved. For example, TB in the spine may cause back pain, while TB in the brain can cause headaches, confusion, or nerve problems.
What are the Symptoms of Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis symptoms can vary but usually develop slowly and worsen over time. Recognizing these signs early can help prevent serious health problems and stop the infection from spreading to others.
Common Symptoms:
- Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks
- Mild chest pain or discomfort
- Feeling very tired or weak
- Low-grade fever
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
Severe Symptoms:
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum
- Severe chest pain
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Early medical attention can help control the infection, protect your health, and reduce the risk of spreading tuberculosis to others.
How did Tuberculosis (TB) Spread?
Tuberculosis mainly spreads from person to person through the air. Knowing how it spreads helps you take steps to protect yourself and others.
- It spreads when a person with active lung TB coughs, sneezes, talks, or laughs.
- You can get infected by breathing in tiny droplets carrying TB bacteria.
- It does not spread through physical contact, sharing food, or touching surfaces.
What are the Common Causes of Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis develops when certain bacteria enter the body and attack mainly the lungs, though they can affect other organs too. Knowing the causes and risk factors can help in early prevention and care.
Causes of Tuberculosis
- TB is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- It spreads through the air when a person with active TB in the lungs coughs, sneezes, or talks.
- You can get infected by breathing in these tiny airborne germs.
Risk Factors for Tuberculosis
- Living or working in crowded places like shelters, prisons, or nursing homes.
- Working in a lab that handles TB bacteria.
- Living in or traveling to areas where TB is more common (such as parts of Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America).
- Close contact with someone who has active TB.
- Having a weak immune system due to HIV, diabetes, kidney disease, or certain medications.
- Using intravenous drugs.
- Undergoing treatments like chemotherapy or having had an organ transplant.
If you have these risk factors or have been around someone with TB, it is important to talk to a doctor to check your health and prevent serious complications.
Get a second opinion from trusted experts and makeconfident, informed decisions.
Get Second OpinionHow Tuberculosis is Diagnosed?
Diagnosing tuberculosis accurately is essential to start proper treatment and prevent its spread. Your TB specialist or pulmonologist will suggest TB screneing tests based on your symptoms and the part of the body affected.
Common Diagnostic Tests for TB
- TB skin test (Mantoux test): A small amount of fluid is injected under your skin to check for a reaction.
- TB blood tests (IGRAs): These tests look for your body's immune response to TB bacteria.
- Chest X-ray: Helps identify changes or damage in the lungs that suggest TB.
- Phlegm (sputum) test: Checks for TB bacteria in mucus you cough up.
- Pulmonary function tests (PFTs): Measure how well your lungs are working.
Tests for Extrapulmonary TB
- CT scan or MRI to examine organs like the brain or spine.
- Ultrasound or endoscopy to check other internal areas.
- Urine and blood tests to detect infection outside the lungs.
- Tissue biopsy to confirm TB bacteria in affected areas.
- Special tests like T-SPOT TB or QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-GIT).
What are the Treatment Options for Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is treated with special antibiotics that kill the TB bacteria. It is important to take all medicines as prescribed to fully recover and avoid spreading the infection.
Treatment for Tuberculosis (TB):
- TB treatment uses a mix of antibiotics to fight the infection.
- You need to take these medicines for 6 to 9 months without missing any doses.
- If you have latent TB (not active), preventive medicine can help stop it from becoming active later.
Common TB medicines include:
- Rifampin
- Isoniazid
- Ethambutol
- Pyrazinamide
Finishing the entire treatment course is very important to stay healthy and stop TB from coming back or becoming stronger.
When to See a Tuberculosis Specialist?
It's important to see a TB specialist early to get the right treatment and avoid serious health problems. Doctors focus on curing the infection and preventing it from spreading to others.
- If you have a cough lasting more than three weeks, chest pain, or cough up blood, see a specialist immediately.
- If you experience unexplained weight loss, night sweats, fever, or extreme fatigue, don't delay a check-up.
- People at higher risk like those with weak immune systems, diabetes, or close contact with a TB patient should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Early consultation helps start treatment on time and protects both you and those around you.
Your health is everything - prioritize your well-being today.
Consult Tuberculosis Doctors Today
What is the Recovery Process After Tuberculosis Treatment?
After finishing TB treatment, it's important to focus on full recovery and prevent relapse. Regular follow-ups and healthy habits help you stay strong and avoid future problems.
- Follow-up care: You will need regular check-ups and sputum tests to make sure the infection is completely gone.
- Lifestyle tips: Eat a balanced diet with enough protein, fruits, and vegetables to rebuild strength. Get enough rest and avoid smoking or alcohol.
- Long-term outlook: Most people recover fully if they complete their treatment properly. Staying healthy and keeping up with doctor visits reduce the risk of TB coming back.
Tuberculosis Precautions, Prevention & Complications
Taking simple steps can help you avoid getting TB and stop it from spreading to others. Knowing the possible problems if not treated can help you take it seriously.
Tuberculosis Prevention
- Healthy habits: Always cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wear a mask in crowded places, and keep rooms airy and clean.
- Regular checks: If you are at higher risk or have been near someone with TB, go for regular health check-ups to catch it early.
Tuberculosis Complications
- Without treatment, TB can spread to other parts of your body like the brain, spine, or kidneys and become very dangerous.
- It can also cause severe lung damage and make breathing hard in the future.
Taking these precautions and getting treated on time can help you stay healthy and protect others too.
Our Experience in Treating Tuberculosis
At Medicover, we are a trusted group of tuberculosis hospitals dedicated to giving the best care. Our skilled doctors know how to treat TB safely and fully. We use advanced tests, strong medicines, and personal care plans for each patient.
We support you at every step so you can get better and live a healthy life. This makes us the best choice for TB treatment.
