Tuberculosis - Treatment & Care | Dr. Hareesh Pathak

Understanding Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB remains a significant global health concern. With proper diagnosis and treatment, tuberculosis is completely curable, and modern treatment protocols are highly effective.

Important Note

Early detection and complete treatment are crucial for TB management. With proper medication adherence, TB can be completely cured, and patients can return to normal, healthy lives.

Symptoms & Warning Signs

Primary Symptoms:

Persistent cough: Lasting more than 3 weeks, often producing blood or mucus
Chest pain: Pain in the chest or pain with breathing or coughing
Fatigue and weakness: Feeling tired and weak for extended periods
Weight loss: Unintentional weight loss and loss of appetite

Additional Symptoms:

Fever and chills, especially night sweats
Loss of appetite and nausea
Shortness of breath
Swollen lymph nodes
Bone and joint pain (if TB spreads)

Seek Emergency Care If:

Coughing up blood or bloody sputum
Severe chest pain with difficulty breathing
High fever with severe night sweats
Rapid weight loss and severe weakness
Signs of TB spreading to other organs

Diagnosis & Testing

Initial Assessment:

Medical history: Including contact with TB patients and risk factors
Physical examination: Checking for signs of TB infection
Symptom evaluation: Assessment of respiratory and systemic symptoms

Diagnostic Tests:

Tuberculin skin test (TST): Test for TB infection
Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs): Blood tests for TB
Chest X-ray: Imaging to detect lung abnormalities
Sputum tests: Microscopy and culture to identify TB bacteria
Molecular tests: Rapid tests like GeneXpert for quick diagnosis

Early Detection

Early diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and preventing transmission to others. Contact tracing and screening of close contacts is essential for community health.

Treatment Options

Standard TB Treatment:

First-line drugs: Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol
DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment): Supervised medication administration
Treatment duration: Typically 6-9 months for drug-sensitive TB
Regular monitoring: Monthly follow-ups and sputum testing

Drug-Resistant TB Treatment:

Second-line drugs: For multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB
Extended treatment: 18-24 months for drug-resistant forms
Specialized care: Treatment in specialized centers
Close monitoring: Frequent follow-ups and drug susceptibility testing

Supportive Care:

Nutritional support: Proper nutrition to aid recovery
Isolation precautions: Initially until no longer infectious
Contact tracing: Testing and treatment of close contacts

Prevention & Management

Prevention Strategies:

BCG vaccination: For high-risk populations and children
Infection control: Proper ventilation and respiratory hygiene
Contact screening: Testing close contacts of TB patients
HIV testing: As HIV increases TB susceptibility

Treatment Compliance:

Take all medications exactly as prescribed
Complete the full course of treatment
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
Report any side effects immediately
Maintain good nutrition and rest

Community Health

TB prevention and control require community-wide efforts. Completing treatment not only ensures personal recovery but also prevents transmission to family and community members, contributing to TB elimination efforts.

Tuberculosis (TB)