Tuberculosis (TB) - a disease that has plagued humans since the Neolithic times. This, is an age old enemy.
Two organisms cause tuberculosis -- Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis.
The Ancient Greeks called TB "Phthisis" to reflect its wasting character.
Come the 17th and 18th Century, TB was suspected to be responsible of up to 25% of all deaths in Europe.
The 19th Century saw the bacteria that caused TB being isolated but no effective treatment was available until the mid 20th century.
Yes, TB is an age old enemy.
Causes of TB:
TB is transmitted via air droplets from infected individuals. Once inhaled, the bacterium invades the lungs and subsequently erode lung tissue.
Risk factors for TB include the following:
- HIV infection,
- low socioeconomic status,
- alcoholism,
- homelessness,
- crowded living conditions,
- diseases that weaken the immune system,
- migration from a country with a high number of cases,
- and healthcare workers.
TB might not surface clinically until the disease is advanced. Even then, symptoms can be vague - weight loss, mild fever, and a productive cough. Often, these symptoms are misinterpreted or misdiagnosed as other illnesses.
Any close contact with infected individuals should be referred to a doctor and tested for tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis: Diagnosis
- Chest X-ray
- Mantoux skin test, otherwise known as the tuberculin skin test (TST orPPD test).
- Sputum testing for acid-fast bacilli. This is the gold standard for TB diagnosis.
TB treatment is normally done on an outpatient basis. The treating doctor will prescribe several courses of medications that might last for as long as 6-9 months. It is essential that you complete your course of treatment to totally eradicate the disease.
Public health concerns should also be prioritized as exposure to other people will harm the community as a whole. Social responsibility should be observed by infected individuals. All exposed individuals to the patient should under the appropriate investigations such as a Chest X-Ray and/or the Mantoux test for farther evaluation.
Tuberculosis: Prevention
Controlling the disease in infected individuals, and controlling the disease within the community.Infected individuals should consume and complete the full course of prescribed medications while vaccinations like the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine stops the spread of TB in the community.
Tuberculosis: Prognosis
As long as the treatment protocol is observed and completed in its entirety, a normal lifestyle and lifespan is the norm.
TB is a treatable disease with the chance of total cure. Do not let it ruin your life.
Seek treatment now.
About The Author
Dr Lau Tzun Hon is a resident housecall doctor at CMY Medical. He received his MBBS (Hons) from Sydney University in 2001 and has served in the both private and government restructured hospitals prior to commencing his practice in Home Care.
While in the Government Restructured Hospitals, Dr Lau served primarily in the Department of Accident & Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesia. Upon entering the Private sector, Dr Lau worked in both public and private A&E departments before venturing into Home Care.
Over the years, he has developed a strong passion to maintain and enhance the quality of life for patients under his care. A strong believer that healthcare does not need to be financially straining, Dr Lau often delivers more value beyond expectations.
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