What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease which is caused by a bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an airborne condition which generally impacts the lungs, however it can also affect different parts of the body.
This is a potentially life threatening condition; a quarter of the worldwide population carries the infection. There were 9,272 cases of tuberculosis (TB) reported in the US in 2016, that equates three in every 100,000 people. (1)
Many cases of tuberculosis (TB) can be managed when medication is provided and taken correctly. It is estimated that between 2000 and 2016 about 53 million lives were saved due to correct diagnosis and treatment of TB. (2)
Symptoms
We have mentioned that the tuberculosis (TB) infection arises as a result of the airborne bacteria mycobacterium tuberculosis. When someone infected with TB disease (which is active in the lungs) coughs or sneezes, bacteria are expelled. The droplets can be inhaled by someone else and the infection spreads.
This condition is not as contagious as the flu or the common cold, although it is spread in a similar way. Someone would have to spend several hours with an infected person to catch the disease.
TB generally spreads between members of the same household, or between coworkers or friends. You cannot catch TB from clothes, eating or drinking utensils, shaking hands, toilets or any other surfaces.
When TB spreads, most healthy individuals’ immune systems are able to destroy the bacteria. There are times when the bacteria can infect the body but not cause any symptoms. Referred to as latent tuberculosis (TB) the actual disease might manifest years later or not at all.
People with latent tuberculosis (TB) cannot spread the disease to others despite being infected. They are more likely to develop the disease themselves if their immune systems become weakened. (3)
In some people, TB bacteria might grow and become active within a few weeks of infection. This happens when their immune system is unable to fight and control the bacteria. People who have active bacteria multiplying in the body are classed as having tuberculosis (TB) disease.
People who have weak immune systems, especially those with HIV infection, are at more risk of developing TB disease. Other risk factors include conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, substance abuse, age (both very young and old) and cancer.
Travelling to places where instances of TB are high can also put you at risk. These include countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Russia, Latin America and the Caribbean Islands.
(4)
The symptoms of this disease vary depending on where the bacteria are growing, however it generally affects the lungs (pulmonary TB). The main symptoms are:
Cough
A persistent cough, lasting longer than three weeks, is a common symptom of this condition. Alongside the cough, blood might be seen in the phlegm brought up from the lungs. (5)
Chest Pain
Chest pain might be felt, which could accompany coughing or when breathing deeply. (6)
Weight Loss
Unexplained and unintentional weight loss is often a cause for concern. It is another symptom of tuberculosis (TB). (7)
Fatigue
A feeling of lethargy and lasting tiredness is often a sign that all is not well in the body. Someone with tuberculosis (TB) might feel fatigue, weariness along with weakness. (8)
Night Sweats
It’s normal to sweat a bit if sleeping in a hot room or your bedding is too warm. However, night sweats leave you waking up to find your night clothes and bedding are wet. This happens even when the room is cool. (9)
Fever
When the body’s temperature is higher than normal, it is considered a fever. This is often an indication of sickness or disease in the body and is a symptom of tuberculosis (TB). (10)
Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite, having little or no inclination to eat as one normally would is another indication of this condition. Food will hold little interest and eating it even less. (11)
Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB), when present in other areas of the body (extrapulmonary TB), can produce associated symptoms. For example, if in the spine, you might feel back pain, in the kidneys, you might see blood in the urine. (12)
Stages
Tuberculosis (TB) can be classified into four stages based around the progression of the disease.
Stage One
This begins about three to eight weeks after first inhaling the bacteria that cause this condition. The bacteria become embedded in the alveoli (small sacs in the lungs which transport gasses to and from the bloodstream). (13)
The bacteria also spread to the lymph nodes attached to the lungs. The disease is now classed as active. (14)
Stage Two
This stage lasts for about three months. The bacteria are circulated via the blood to other parts of the lung and body. During this stage other conditions like meningitis or miliary TB can manifest.
Meningitis happens when bacteria infect the fluid around the brain and/or spinal cord. (15).
Miliary or disseminated tuberculosis is characterized by many tiny spots resembling millet seeds being seen on a chest x ray. It can spread to many parts of the body. (16, 17)
Stage Three
This stage generally lasts for about three to seven months and sees the lung surfaces inflamed (pleurisy). This stage can however be delayed for up to two years.
Pleurisy can cause sharp stabbing pain in the chest, or pain when breathing or coughing. The pain can also be constant and might radiate to the shoulders and back. (18)
It is thought that this inflammatory condition is caused by the spread of bacteria in the blood, or it’s release into the pleural space from the lungs. (19)
Stage Four
This final stage sees the regression of symptoms, and resolution of initial infection is achieved. Sometimes extrapulmonary lesions which develop at a slower rate can appear. For example, chronic back pain might indicate infection in the bones and joints.
The body can take up to three years to reach this stage. (20)
Treatment
The majority of cases of tuberculosis (TB) can be treated. Antibiotics will generally need to be taken for a period of six months or longer.
Some strains of the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics so several different antibiotics might be used. This could involve taking more than six different drugs to treat the condition.
The risk of contagion remains for about two to three weeks therefore precautions need to be taken to insure you don’t infect others. (21)
It is also important you take all medication and follow the directions of your medical professional. If you don’t finish the course prescribed there is a chance of reinfection, which may be more difficult to treat. (22).
It is also important to get treatment for latent tuberculosis (TB) or TB infection. Preventative treatment with antibiotics can stop the disease developing at a later stage. (23)
Tuberculosis (TB) can be life threatening, which is why diagnosis and treatment are important to ensure a good prognosis. (24)
FAQ
What is tuberculosis (TB)? Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease which is caused by a bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an airborne condition which generally impacts the lungs, however it can also affect different parts of the body.
What are the signs of tuberculosis (TB)? A persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, chest pain and blood in phlegm are signs of this disease.
How do you develop tuberculosis (TB)? The condition is contracted by breathing in the tuberculosis bacteria from the air. However, you would need to spend several hours with an infected person for this to happen.
How are you diagnosed for tuberculosis (TB)? Tuberculosis (TB) infection (latent TB) can be detected with a skin or blood test. Imaging scans or X rays, as well as sputum tests can detect the presence of TB disease. (25)
What is the best treatment for tuberculosis (TB)? Treatment for this condition is usually a combination of several antibiotics.
What are the long term complications of tuberculosis (TB)? While treatment in majority of cases is successful, if medications are not taken properly the disease can reactivate. When not treated this disease can be life threatening.
Is tuberculosis (TB) considered a disability? This condition is not considered a disability, however, there may be occasions when you might qualify for social security benefits. (26)
Is there a cure for tuberculosis (TB)? While there are treatments which manage this condition there is not, at this time, a definitive cure. (27)
Is tuberculosis (TB) life threatening? Even though this disease is on the decline, it still remains a life threatening condition. (28)
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease which is caused by a bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an airborne condition which generally impacts the lungs, however it can also affect different parts of the body.
While incidence of this disease is on the decline, it remains potentially life threatening.
Tuberculosis (TB) can be latent or active, and fortunately, there are treatments available which are successful for both types. It is important that people diagnosed with either condition take all medications for the prescribed amount of time.