Tuberculosis or TB is an illness of the lungs. Hence, about 1.4 million died due to TB in 2019. It is one of the top 10 that causes of death worldwide. A bacterium causes this disease. It passes on from person to person through tuberculosis symptoms. Also, if a sick person coughs or sneezes, it goes on with the tiny droplets in the air. Someone gets the disease if he or she breathes in the droplets.
There are two types of TB. The first type is latent TB. In this type, the body does not show symptoms. Also, you are not contagious. Still, the infection is alive and may become active. The second type is active TB. This type is where the germs multiply and give you pain. You may also pass it to others. Therefore, about 90% of active TB comes from latent TB.
Moreover, there are ways to prevent and treat this condition. But before that, it is important to know signs and causes.
1. 3 Weeks Long of Cough
People with pulmonary tuberculosis cough a lot. It results from the damaged and swollen lung tissues. Also, the body reacts to the swelling by coughing it up.
2. Chest Pain
Furthermore, when you breathe in, you will feel pain because of the swelling of lung tissues.
3. Cough with Blood or Phlegm
If the damage in the lung tissue worsens, the phlegm will have stains of blood in it.
4. Fatigue
As the infection goes on, you will get tired and weak. Therefore, you will experience inability to do dailt tasks.
5. Loss of Appetite
In a study, more than 40% of people with TB have a lack of appetite.
6. Weight Loss
TB patients suffer from severe weight loss. As patients lose their appetite to eat, it can result in serious weight loss problems.
7. Fever and Chills
The rise in body temperature is a way for the body to fight infection.
8. Sweating at Night
Furthermore, waking up drenched in own sweat may be a tuberculosis symptom. Also, if your body shows these signs, see your doctor right away. Likewise, skin and blood tests are common tests for TB.
Possible Causes
9. Bacteria
Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes this condition. If a person with TB may pass it on to someone if he or she:
- Coughs
- Sneezes
- Speaks
- Laughs
- Sings
- Spits
Though passing on is like colds and flu, it is not that easy to spread. Therefore, it needs several hours of close contact with the sick person. Also, living with someone who has TB increases your chance of having one.
Moreover, pulmonary tuberculosis happens when the bacteria target the lungs. However, it can spread to other parts of the body like the brain and spine.
10. Spread of HIV
This virus causes AIDS. If someone has HIV, it will make it hard for the body to fight off the TB bacteria. In the 1980s, cases of TB increased because of HIV. So, people with this virus are more likely to have TB.
11. Antibiotic-resistant TB
Sixty years ago, the first drug used to fight off TB took place. However, some bacteria survived despite the drugs. Now, such antibiotics cannot kill all the germs. The two types of TB can be drug-resistant. Anyone can have TB. Additionally, some factors may increase the risk of having the disease.
Risk Factors
- Weak Immune System
A healthy body will fight the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A weak one will have a low ability to resist germs.
- Other Health Conditions
- Health conditions like diabetes, cancer, and kidney disease may weaken the immune system.
- Age
Someone very young or very old may have a weaker immune system. Hence, these people may be at risk for TB.
- Medications
Cancer treatment, like chemotherapy and other drugs, can weaken the body.
- Place where you go
Living or staying in a place with high rates of TB may increase the risk of getting the bacteria. For instance, regions like South-East Asia, Africa, and Western Pacific have many new TB cases. Also, India, Indonesia, China, and South Africa are countries with high disease rates.
- Living in poverty
- Drug and alcohol abuse
The good news about TB; there are diagnoses and treatments for TB. Above all, if you have one, help others by keeping a space between you and them. Also, go to a doctor and ask for treatment. As a result, after taking the given drugs, you will get well from a few weeks to months.
