Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs but can affect almost any part of the body. Though tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air, it is not easy to become infected. TB can be fatal if it is not treated, but taking medicine as directed can almost always cure TB.  

There are three types of TB:

• Primary - Primary TB is when you have an acute exposure and you develop symptoms similar to pneumonia.
• Latent or Inactive- Healthy individuals may be infected with TB and it can remain inactive or latent for months,  years, or may never develop into active TB.  
• Reactivation or Active - When TB disease becomes active/reactivated, it means TB bacteria are multiplying and attacking the lung(s) or other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones, kidneys, brain, spine and even the skin. From the lungs, TB bacteria move through the blood or lymphatic system to different parts of the body.

A person with latent, or inactive, TB will have no symptoms. You may still have a TB infection, but the bacteria in your body is not yet causing harm or symptoms.

Symptoms of primary and active/reactive TB include:

• A cough that lasts more than three weeks
• Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
• Fever
• Chills
• Night sweats

If TB is suspected an in depth history will be gathered to determine if you have been exposed. 

A physical exam will be given listening to the lungs and check neck lymph nodes for swelling.  Common tests for diagnosis includes:

• Skin or blood test
• Chest x-ray
• Chest CT
• Sputum

Latent TB Treatment 

If you have become infected with TB, but it is inactive preventive therapy should be explored. The treatment kills germs that could cause problems if the disease becomes active. The most common preventive therapy is a daily dose of the antibiotic isoniazid (INH) taken as a single daily pill for six to nine months.

Reactive TB Treatment

Reactive TB disease is usually treated with a combination of antibacterial medications for a period of six to 12 months.