Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis: description, symptoms and treatment

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacilli of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis species. This disease is characterized by the formation of nodular lesions (tuberculous tubercles) in various tissues of the body. It can affect any organ, but the lungs are most often affected.

With pulmonary tuberculosis, the infection enters the lung tissue, where the primary tuberculosis focus is formed. The disease then spreads to the nearest lymph nodes, forming the so-called primary complex. At this stage, the body can cope with the infection itself, but sometimes the disease goes unnoticed and can become chronic. In this case, the patient becomes a carrier of the infection, which is spread by airborne droplets.

Symptoms of acute pulmonary tuberculosis include fever, profuse sweating at night, significant weight loss, and coughing up bloody sputum. In some cases, the infection can spread to other organs, joints, bones and meninges, causing tuberculous meningitis and miliary tuberculosis.

Various combinations of antibiotics are used to treat tuberculosis, such as streptomycin, ethambutol, isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. Treatment can last from several months to several years, depending on the form and stage of the disease.

To prevent the spread of the disease, periodic fluorographic examinations of the population and inoculation of persons with weakened immune systems with the BCG vaccine are carried out. To identify these individuals, a tuberculin test is used.

Tuberculosis is a serious disease that can lead to harmful consequences if not treated promptly. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help if you suspect you have TB or have been in contact with an infected person. In most cases, with proper treatment, TB can be cured and its spread can be prevented.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacilli of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis species, which is characterized by the formation of nodular lesions (tuberculosis tubercles) in various tissues. Previously, pulmonary tuberculosis was called general exhaustion of the body or consumption.

With pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculosis bacilli enter the lungs, where a primary tuberculosis focus is formed, from where the disease spreads to the nearest lymph nodes (primary complex). At this stage, the body can cope with the infection on its own using its immunity. However, in some people the disease can go unnoticed for months or even years, weakening the body's resistance.

Many people have asymptomatic tuberculosis, but in others it becomes chronic. Such patients are carriers of infection that spreads through airborne droplets. Symptoms of acute tuberculosis include fever, profuse sweating at night, significant weight loss, and coughing up bloody sputum.

Sometimes tuberculosis bacilli enter the bloodstream from the lungs, giving rise to the formation of multiple small tuberculous tubercles throughout the body (miliary tuberculosis), or migrate to the meninges, causing tuberculous meningitis. In some cases, tuberculosis infection occurs through the mouth, most often through consumption of infected cow's milk, giving rise to the development of the primary complex in the lymph nodes of the abdominal cavity. This leads to peritonitis and spread of the disease to other organs, joints and bones (see Pott's disease).

Various combinations of antibiotics are used to treat tuberculosis, including streptomycin, ethambutol, isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. Treatment can be lengthy and last several months or even years.

To prevent the spread of the disease, periodic fluorographic examination of the population and inoculation of immunocompromised persons with BCG vaccine are carried out (a tuberculin test is used to identify these persons). The BCG vaccine does not provide complete protection against tuberculosis, but it can reduce the likelihood of developing severe forms of the disease and help reduce its spread.

Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. According to the World Health Organization, about 10 million people become ill with tuberculosis each year, and about 1.5 million people die from the disease.

However, thanks to modern treatment and prevention methods, tuberculosis can be successfully cured and prevented. An important aspect in the fight against tuberculosis is early detection and treatment of the disease, as well as educating the population on preventive measures, such as proper nutrition, hygiene and avoiding contact with infected people.

Thus, tuberculosis remains a serious problem in the world, but thanks to modern treatment and prevention methods, we can successfully fight this disease and reduce its impact on our lives.