Tuberculosis Expert in Perumbakkam

Your Trusted Partner in Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.

Understanding Tuberculosis

Causes of Tuberculosis

  1. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  2. Individuals who have active TB in their lungs or voice box can be sources of disease transmission. They emit minuscule droplets containing the bacteria into the air when they engage in activities like talking, singing, laughter, coughing, or sneezing. Inhaling these droplets can lead to infection.
  3. The risk of transmission is heightened in settings where people share indoor spaces extensively, facilitating the easy spread of the disease. As a result, TB is more prone to dissemination in environments where people cohabitate or labor together for extended durations. Furthermore, the disease is more likely to propagate in densely populated gatherings.
Symptoms of Tuberculosis :

Prevention

  • Seek medical attention if you have symptoms like prolonged cough, fever and unexplained weight loss as early treatment for TB can help stop the spread of disease and improve your chances of recovery.
  • Get tested for TB infection if you are at increased risk, such as if you have HIV or are in contact with people who have TB in your household or your workplace. 
  • If prescribed treatment to prevent TB, complete the full course. 
  • If you have TB, practice good hygiene when coughing, including avoiding contact with other people and wearing a mask, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and disposing of sputum and used tissues properly.
Diagnosis
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly advocates the use of rapid molecular diagnostic tests as the primary tool for diagnosing individuals showing signs and symptoms of tuberculosis (TB).
  • The WHO-endorsed rapid tests, such as the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and Truenat assays, offer exceptional diagnostic precision and are poised to usher in a new era of early TB and drug-resistant TB detection.
  • To identify individuals with TB infection, healthcare providers may employ a tuberculin skin test (TST) or an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA).
  • Diagnosing multidrug-resistant TB and other resistant TB variants, as well as TB that’s associated with HIV, can be a formidable and costly endeavor.
  • When it comes to children, TB diagnosis becomes an even more intricate challenge. The subtle and often nonspecific symptoms in younger patients make it a uniquely demanding task to identify the disease.

Treatments

Tuberculosis disease is treated with antibiotics. Treatment is recommended for both TB infection and disease.

The most common antibiotics used are:

  • Isoniazid
  • Rifampin
  • Pyrazinamide
  • Ethambutol
  • Streptomycin

For optimal results, these drugs should be taken daily for a duration of 4 to 6 months. It is of paramount importance not to discontinue these medications prematurely or without consulting a medical professional. Such actions can potentially empower the TB bacteria that are still viable to develop resistance against these drugs.

In situations where tuberculosis does not yield to conventional medications, it takes on a formidable form known as drug-resistant TB. Managing this form necessitates a more aggressive and potentially more harmful treatment regimen, involving a distinct set of medicines.

Frequently Asked Question on Tuberculosis
How is TB transmitted?

 TB is primarily transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also spread through the ingestion of contaminated food or drink.

Is TB treatable and curable?

Yes, TB is treatable with antibiotics. Most cases can be cured with a combination of antibiotics taken over several months.

Can TB be transmitted through casual contact?

TB is primarily transmitted through prolonged close contact with an infectious individual. Casual contact, like shaking hands or sharing utensils, typically does not lead to transmission.

Who is at higher risk for TB?

Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, and those in close contact with TB patients are at higher risk. Additionally, people in overcrowded or poorly ventilated environments are more susceptible.

What is drug-resistant TB?

Drug-resistant TB is a form of the disease that does not respond to standard antibiotics, requiring more complex and potentially toxic treatments with different drugs.