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Des- Tuberculosis or TB is defined as an infectious disease that is triggered by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis customarily affects the lungs but may also affect many other organs within the body. A person may become infected with the bacteria if he or she inhales miniature particles of sputum that are airborne.
Tuberculosis
Definition of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis or TB is defined as an infectious disease that is triggered by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis customarily affects the lungs but may also affect many other organs within the body. A person may become infected with the bacteria if he or she inhales miniature particles of sputum that are airborne.
Symptoms of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis infection will customarily begin in the upper portion or lobe of the lungs. It is possible for the immune system to impede the reproduction of the bacteria.
Subsequently the immune system may cause the lung infection to become inactive. However if the immune system is incapable of containing the Tuberculosis bacteria, the bacteria will replicate becoming active in the lungs and also will be able to migrate to other areas in the body.
The symptoms may not materialize until months later. The general symptoms that are present during an active Tuberculosis infection may involve the following:
Fatigue
Weakness
Unexpected weight loss
Fever
Night Sweats
Coughing which may be associated with sputum and/or blood.
Shortness of breath
Treatment for Tuberculosis
In cases where it is found that the person has an inactive from of infection, treatment with an antibiotic may be employed to decrease the risk that the person will develop an active infection. The antibiotic that may be administered is isoniazid (INH). This should be taken for twelve months to be certain that the infection is completely destroyed.
Active Tuberculosis is customarilytreated with a variety of medications which may incorporate isoniazid. Rifampin (Rifadin), ethambutol (Myambutol), and pyrazinamide along with the major medication isoniazid (INH). Four drugs are generally taken for the initial two months of treatment to help destroy any probable resistant strains of bacteria. After this course is completed the number of medications employed is generallylowered to two drugs for the rest of the treatment. This will depend on drug sensitivity testing that is generally relevant at this point in the course of treatment. Streptomycin, a medication that is injected, can be utilized, specifically when the disease is intenseand/or if the individualcannot or does not wish to take the medications orally. It is probable for treatment to last many months or even as long as years.
Surgery on the lungs can be utilized to help cure the disease, nonetheless it is uncommonly performed.
