Tuberculosis

Introduction:

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a disease of the lungs caused by the germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is being seen with increased frequency in HIV-infected patients and is especially common in IV drug users.

How does it occur:

Pulmonary tuberculosis is an airborne disease. When a TB patient coughs or sneezes, small droplets containing the germs are generated and spread in the air. In HIV infection, the GI tract may be involved with extrapulmonary TB either as direct extension from pulmonary lesions, where the esophagus is usually involved, or from systemic spread, where any part of the GI tract including liver and pancreas may be involved. Isolated involvement of the GI tract is unusual.

Signs and Symptoms:

Symptoms include persistent cough, bloodstained sputum, and loss of body weight, afternoon fever and night sweating.

Prevention:

• Early diagnosis and treatment
• Examination of household contacts includes tuberculin testing and / or chest x-ray examination for small children and chest x-ray examination for other household contacts of the patient's family
• Leading a healthy life style
• BCG vaccination