What does tuberculosis affect
If that happens, the bacteria can multiply and lead to active disease. Clinicians find it challenging to diagnose extrapulmonary TB. In some cases, the presenting signs and symptoms can be very vague and can mimic other conditions. All this means the clinician must have a strong suspicion that their patient has extrapulmonary TB to even start seeking this diagnosis. The type of specimen that should be sent depends on the organ system involved. For example, in the case of lymph node TB, a biopsy tissue specimen of the lymph node should be sent to the laboratory; in the case of pleural TB, pleural fluid should be sent for testing.
It is important to note that in certain instances, even though the laboratory result might be negative, the clinician may still opt to treat for tuberculosis based on the high clinical suspicion, constellation of clinical signs and symptoms; and adjunct special investigations biopsy, CT scans. The drugs used to treat extrapulmonary TB are the same as those used for the treatment of pulmonary TB.
The only difference is that the duration of treatment for extrapulmonary TB is longer and depends on the organ system involved. Most extrapulmonary TB is treated for nine months but can sometimes be longer. Hospital admission is not required for treatment unless the patient is severely ill. About 1. About 10 million people have active TB worldwide. In the United States, TB is much less common. TB can almost always be treated and cured if you take medicine as directed.
Who Is at Risk of TB? This includes: Family and friends of a person who is infected People from parts of the world with high TB rates, including India and parts of Asia and Africa. People in groups with high rates of TB transmission, including the homeless, injection drug users and people living with HIV People who work or reside in facilities that house high risk people such as hospitals, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes and residential homes for those with HIV Not everyone who is infected with the TB germ latent TB develops clinically active TB disease.
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Sign Up for Email Updates Join over , people who receive the latest news about lung health, including COVID, research, air quality, inspiring stories and resources. Please enter a valid email address. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.
Once rare in developed countries, tuberculosis infections began increasing in , partly because of the emergence of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV weakens a person's immune system, so it can't fight the TB germs.
In the United States, because of stronger control programs, tuberculosis began to decrease again in But it remains a concern. Many tuberculosis strains resist the drugs most used to treat the disease.
People with active tuberculosis must take many types of medications for months to get rid of the infection and prevent antibiotic resistance. Although your body can harbor the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, your immune system usually can prevent you from becoming sick.
For this reason, doctors make a distinction between:. Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of your body, including the kidneys, spine or brain. When TB occurs outside your lungs, signs and symptoms vary according to the organs involved. For example, tuberculosis of the spine might cause back pain, and tuberculosis in your kidneys might cause blood in your urine. See your doctor if you have a fever, unexplained weight loss, drenching night sweats or a persistent cough.
These are often indications of TB but can also result from other conditions. Also, see your doctor if you think you've been exposed to TB. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who have an increased risk of tuberculosis be screened for latent TB infection. This recommendation includes people who:. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that spread from person to person through microscopic droplets released into the air.
This can happen when someone with the untreated, active form of tuberculosis coughs, speaks, sneezes, spits, laughs or sings. Although tuberculosis is contagious, it's not easy to catch. You're much more likely to get tuberculosis from someone you live or work with than from a stranger. Most people with active TB who've had appropriate drug treatment for at least two weeks are no longer contagious.
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