Finding out the symptoms of TB(Tuberculosis) earlier is significant as it helps in the faster treatment and prevents any further complications. The initial symptoms of TB are commonly include a continuous cough for three weeks or longer, along with the other symptoms. The symptoms of TB in babies include Fever, failure to thrive, lethargy, irritability, and in a few cases, breathing difficulty or pneumonia-like symptoms.
To identify TB symptoms, a medical professional can go through TB blood or skin tests, chest X-rays, and lab tests for TB bacteria. Finding out the TB symptoms at home is not possible. However, TB symptoms like a persistent cough, coughing up blood or mucus, Fever, night sweats, Fatigue, chest pain, or weight loss warn you about future conditions.
Tuberculosis(TB) is seen in countries such as India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. TB has caused an estimated 1.2 million deaths yearly. Thus, it is better to find out the symptoms of Tuberculosis to provide proper treatment.
There are many TB symptoms that help determine if a person is affected by TB.
What are the Symptoms of TB?
The following are the common symptoms of TB disease.
Signs of TB
Brain TB symptoms include Headache, Fever and chills, Nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, mental status changes, seizures, sleepiness, aches and pains, Loss of appetite and Tiredness. Let's discuss neck TB symptoms here. Neck early-stage neck TB symptoms include painless, slow-growing swelling in the neck, along with general symptoms such as Fever, sweats at night, and weight loss. Skin TB occurs with different skin lesions, such as inflammatory papules, ulcers, pustules, nodules, and verrucous plaques, along with systemic symptoms such as weight loss, Fever, and night sweats. There are several bone TB symptoms. Bone tuberculosis (TB) symptoms include stiffness, continuous pain, swelling, and limited movement in the affected part, along with systemic symptoms like Fever, weight loss, and Fatigue.
What is TB(Tuberculosis)?
Tuberculosis (TB) refers to a serious infectious disease that happens as a result of the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis; basically affects the lungs, but it also affects other body parts as well.
Types of TB
There are different types of TB. Here are the different Tuberculosis(TB) types.
Causes of TB
The main cause of Tuberculosis(TB) is bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), which mostly affects the lungs. TB gets spread through the air if the people with lung TB do activities like coughing, sneezing or spitting. A person becomes infected by inhaling some germs. Each year, 10 million people are affected by Tuberculosis (TB).
Risk Factors of TB
We have discussed the causes and symptoms of TB, so let's see the risk factors. There are some risk factors for TB, they include :
Treatment for TB
Tuberculosis (TB) treatment basically involves a 6-month course of antibiotics, it often includes isoniazid and rifampicin, with the extra drugs such as pyrazinamide and ethambutol for the first 2 months.
The methods to manage the symptoms of TB include :
Foods to Eat in TB
Eating some foods helps with fast recovery from TB. Here are the foods to be included during TB.
Category | Items |
Lean meats | Chicken, turkey, and lean beef. |
Fish and seafood | Salmon, tuna, and shrimp. |
Eggs and dairy products | Milk, yogurt, and cheese. |
Legumes and beans | Chickpeas, Lentils, and kidney beans. |
Nuts and seeds | Walnuts, Almonds, and chia seeds. |
Other Protein rich foods | Soy, tofu or Paneer. |
Fruits rich in Vitamin C | Oranges, papayas, and guavas. |
Vegetables | Leafy greens (like spinach, kale), sweet potatoes and carrots. |
Iron-rich foods | Poultry, fish, Lean red meat, fortified cereals, beans, lentils, and dark leafy vegetables. |
Foods rich in B complex vitamins | Grains, Seeds, nuts, fish, chicken, and cereals. |
Foods rich in Zinc | Nuts and seeds like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds. |
Foods to Avoid during TB
There are some foods which have to be avoided to prevent further complications. Here are those foods that have to be avoided during TB.
Category | Items |
Sugary drinks | Energy drinks, Sodas, and sweetened juices. |
Refined grains | Pasta, White bread, and rice. |
High-sugar snacks | Cookies, cakes, and candies. |
Processed foods | Canned foods, packaged snacks, and sugary cereals. |
Fried snacks | Fries, Chips,and fast food. |
Trans fat-rich foods | Margarine and processed junk food. |
High-fat meats | Sausage, Red meat, and bacon. |
Alcohol | Alcohol can disturb TB medications and worsen liver damage. |
Caffeine | High amounts of caffeine could result in the dehydration and disrupt sleep patterns. |
Spicy Foods | Spicy foods cause irritation to the digestive tract and worsen symptoms. |
Raw or Undercooked Foods | Raw or undercooked meats, eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products may cause the risk of foodborne illnesses. |
TB Medications
Some medications help in TB treatment; let's see them.
Medicine Names | Formula | Used As |
Isoniazid (INH) | C6H7N3O | First-line medications |
Rifampin (RIF) | C43H58N4O12 | First-line medications |
Pyrazinamide (PZA) | C5H5N3O | First-line medications |
Ethambutol (EMB) | C₁₀H₂₄N₂O₂ | First-line medications |
Streptomycin | C₂₁H₃₉N₇O₁₂ | First-line medications |
Fluoroquinolones | C9H6FNO | Second-line medications |
Capreomycin | C25H44N14O8 | Second-line medications |
Bedaquiline | C32H31BrN2O2 | Second-line medications |
Delamanid | C25H25F3N4O6 | Second-line medications |
Ethionamide | C8H10N2S | Second-line medications |
Para-aminosalicylic acid | C7H7NO3 | Second-line medications |
Cycloserine | C3H6N2O2 | Second-line medications |
These medications will only be provided by your Doctor, you must not take these tablets for TB, without his/her prescriptions.
Recovery Time for TB
Recovery from Tuberculosis (TB) involves taking a 6-month course of antibiotics, though the duration of treatment can vary based on the type of TB, the severity of the TB, and whether drug resistance is present. Babies with active TB typically begin feeling better within a few weeks of starting treatment. But it's important for them to complete the full course of antibiotics, which can last 6 months or longer, to ensure the infection is eradicated and prevent recurrence or drug resistance.
How to Prevent TB?
In general, one can prevent TB by following the below lifestyle changes.
1. Get Medical Attention
If a person experiences symptoms such as prolonged cough (for 3 weeks or above), Fever, unexplained weight loss, or night sweats, then get medical attention promptly.
2. Undergo Medical Tests
If you are at increased risk (e.g., close contact with people with TB, HIV positive), then undergo the TB diagnostic tests.
3. Finish Treatment
If you get diagnosed with TB, then take the full course of prescribed medications to prevent the spread of the TB disease.
4. Follow Good Hygiene
Always cover your mouth and nose while you cough or sneeze, ideally with a tissue paper, and dispose that tissue paper properly.
Next, wash your hands frequently, particularly after coughing or sneezing.
Have proper ventilation in your home and workplace.
5. Avoid close contact With TB Patients
Avoid close contact with others active TB, if you have active TB, particularly with those at higher risk.
6. Respiratory Hygiene
Have respiratory hygiene practices, like offering masks and tissue papers and proper ventilation.
7. Prevent Infection from Becoming Disease
TB preventive treatment (TPT) will help prevent TB infection from becoming a more active TB disease.
8. Discuss about TPTs
If you are at high risk of TB (e.g., close contact with someone with TB, HIV positive), then discuss TPT with your Doctor.
9. Get BCG Vaccinated
Countries with high TB prevalence, often vaccinate children with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which offer partial security against serious forms of TB. Discuss the advantages and risks of BCG vaccination with your Doctor, particularly if you are at high-risk area or have close contact with people with TB.
10. Nutritious Diet and Exercise
Lead a healthy lifestyle method with a nutritious diet and regular exercise to support your immune system.
11. Stay Informed
Learn about TB prevention methods and get reliable information from healthcare professionals or organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
12. Check Air Quality
Ensure that you have good ventilation in your home and workplace, as TB bacteria can be suspended in the air for extended time periods in the absence of proper ventilation.
13. Natural Light
Exposure to natural light could help kill TB bacteria.
How is TB diagnosed?
TB can be diagnosed through many methods. Here are the methods to diagnose the TB.
Initial Assessment through Medical History
Other Tests
Conclusion
There are many TB signs and symptoms. The symptoms of TB in women include a continuous persistent cough for over three weeks, coughing up blood or phlegm, weight loss, night sweats, chills, Fever, Fatigue, and Loss of appetite. TB and spinal TB are not the same, though spinal Tuberculosis (Pott's Disease) is a kind of Tuberculosis (TB) that particularly affects the spines. Skin tb symptoms include fever, weight loss, and night sweats.
But, "TB" (tuberculosis) and "skin TB" (cutaneous tuberculosis) are not the same, however skin TB is a form of TB that is caused by the same bacteria and affects the skin. Identifying the sign and symptoms of TB through the diagnosis will help in proper treatment. TB symptoms and treatment will be properly handled by the medical team for a faster recovery.
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