Tuberculosis
Introduction:
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a disease of the lungs caused by
the germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pulmonary Mycobacterium
tuberculosis (TB) is being seen with increased frequency in HIV-infected
patients and is especially common in IV drug users.
How does it occur:
Pulmonary tuberculosis is an airborne disease. When a TB patient
coughs or sneezes, small droplets containing the germs are generated
and spread in the air. In HIV infection, the GI tract may be involved
with extrapulmonary TB either as direct extension from pulmonary
lesions, where the esophagus is usually involved, or from systemic
spread, where any part of the GI tract including liver and pancreas
may be involved. Isolated involvement of the GI tract is unusual.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms include persistent cough, bloodstained sputum, and loss
of body weight, afternoon fever and night sweating.
Prevention:
- Early diagnosis and treatment
- Examination of household contacts includes tuberculin testing
and / or chest x-ray examination for small children and chest
x-ray examination for other household contacts of the patient's
family
- Leading a healthy life style
- BCG vaccination
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