Understanding Tuberculosis

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (also known as TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is an airborne disease that is spread when a person with TB coughs, sneezes or spits. Healthy individuals who come into close contact and breathe in these airborne particles may become infected¹.

Tuberculosis can be categorised into two types, namely, ‘Active TB’ and ‘Latent TB’. The differences between these two can be explained in the following table^2,3.

While TB primarily affects the lungs, the bacteria can also spread via the bloodstream to other organs, such as the kidneys, lymph nodes, bones and brain^2,3.

What are the Symptoms of Tuberculosis?^3,4

Symptoms of TB may develop slowly over time. Some of these symptoms include:

• A cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks.
• Coughing up sputum (phlegm) or sputum with blood.
• Chest pain.
• Experiencing fever or night sweats.
• Unexplained weight loss (without any changes in the diet or exercise routine).
• Loss of appetite.
• Ongoing fatigue or exhaustion.
• Children who have difficulty gaining weight.

Should you experience the aforementioned symptoms, kindly seek medical advice to allow for the next course of action.

Who is at Risk of Developing Tuberculosis?^2,4

Some individuals may be at a higher risk of developing TB than others. The chances are high:

1. When a person is in close contact or has recently spent time with someone infected with TB.
2. Among those who reside in crowded environments (e.g. homeless shelters, prisons or jails).
3. Among individuals who work or live in settings where there is a high likelihood of TB transmission, such as hospitals or nursing homes.
4. In individuals with weakened immune systems due to certain treatments or medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer or HIV.
5. Among people who smoke.
6. Among individuals who consume alcohol frequently.

If you fall into any of the groups above, you may consider seeking a doctor’s opinion on getting proper screening done.

Conclusion

The first step in managing tuberculosis is awareness. With the right information and knowledge, appropriate action can be taken to ensure early diagnosis and successful treatment. You may speak to your healthcare provider for more information or further clarification.