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Understanding Tuberculosis (TB): A Complete Guide
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a important global health concern, impacting millions worldwide.While often associated with the lungs, TB can affect nearly any part of the body. This article provides a comprehensive overview of tuberculosis, covering its causes, transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, as of January 25, 2026.
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It’s spread through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs, speaks, or sings, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria [[2]].There are two main types of TB:
- Latent TB Infection: In this state, the bacteria are present in the body but inactive and cause no symptoms. People with latent TB cannot spread the infection.
- Active TB Disease: The bacteria are multiplying and actively causing illness. Active TB is contagious and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
How Does TB Spread?
TB spreads through the air, but it’s not easily transmitted. Close, prolonged contact with someone with active TB disease is typically required for infection to occur. Factors that increase the risk of transmission include:
- Spending time in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation.
- Living or working in close quarters with infected individuals.
- Weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of tuberculosis
Symptoms of active TB disease vary depending on the part of the body affected. Common symptoms include:
- A persistent cough lasting three or more weeks
- Coughing up blood or sputum
- Chest pain
- Weakness or fatigue
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Night sweats
When TB occurs outside the lungs, symptoms will vary depending on the affected organ.
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Diagnosing TB typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. These tests include:
- Tuberculin Skin Test (TST): Also known as the Mantoux test, this test determines if someone has been infected with TB bacteria.
- Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs): These blood tests also detect TB infection.
- Chest X-ray: Can reveal abnormalities in the lungs suggestive of TB.
- Sputum Smear and Culture: These tests identify the presence of TB bacteria in a sputum sample.
Treatment for Tuberculosis
Active TB disease is treated with a course of antibiotics, typically lasting six to nine months. It’s crucial to complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms improve, to prevent the growth of drug-resistant TB. The standard first-line treatment regimen includes four drugs: isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide.
Latent TB infection is often treated with preventive therapy, usually isoniazid, to prevent the development of active TB disease.
Drug-Resistant tuberculosis
Drug-resistant TB develops when the bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat the disease. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, the two most powerful TB drugs. Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is resistant to isoniazid, rifampin, and at least one of three other drugs. Treating drug-resistant TB requires longer courses of treatment with more toxic drugs and has lower success rates [[3]].
Prevention of Tuberculosis
preventing the spread of TB involves several strategies:
- Early Detection and treatment: Identifying and treating individuals with active TB disease is crucial.
- BCG vaccination: The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used in manny countries to prevent severe forms of TB in children, but its effectiveness varies.
- infection Control Measures: Implementing measures to prevent the spread of TB in healthcare settings and other high-risk environments.
- Preventive Therapy: Treating latent TB infection to prevent progression to active disease.
Global Impact of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis remains a major global health problem, especially in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with TB globally in 2022
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