How To Prevent Tuberculosis: Symptoms, Treatment & Vaccination
Tuberculosis is a disease that is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but other parts of the body can also be damaged. Tb spreads through the air when the person with Tuberculosis coughs or sneezes or even talks. If you think or even have the slightest doubt that you are exposed to the bacteria, you should go to your doctor for tests and screening.
Symptoms Of Tuberculosis
- Weight loss
- Persistent cough which is about 3 weeks older
- Loss of appetite
- Coughing with blood or mucous
- Fever
- Night sweats
Diagnosis Of Tuberculosis
Skin tests, blood tests, x rays, and other significant tests and screening procedures can easily tell if you have tuberculosis. If it is not treated properly, TB can be fatal.
Who Is At Risk?
People with weak immune systems or compromised immune systems are at the most risk of catching tuberculosis. HIV suppresses the immune system and makes it harder for the body to control or resist Tuberculosis bacteria. Tobacco has been found to increase the risk of developing TB. Over 20 percent of TB cases are related to smoking.
Treatment Of Tuberculosis
The major of Tb cases can be cured with different medications. The medications should be available and rightly administered. The exact length of the medication timings depends on the person’s age and overall health.
TB medication can prove toxic to the liver, and though the side effects are not that common when the side effects are occurring, they can be quite serious and may lead to severe complexities. If while you are taking the medication for tuberculosis, you experience fever, jaundice, dark urine, nausea, and loss of appetite, you should report it to your doctor immediately.
It is very important that the course of the treatment be completed by the end. If you feel A-Ok, even then you should not discontinue the medication and should complete the treatment, otherwise, the bacteria may become resistant and could lead to developing MDR-TB in the future which is very dangerous.
Prevention Of Tuberculosis
A few general precautionary measures can be taken to prevent the disease. Wearing a mask, covering the mouth, and ventilating the rooms can also be helpful. You can avoid other people by not going to school, the workplace, or sleeping in the same room to minimize the spread of the bacteria.
Vaccination For TB
In some countries, BCG injections are on the vaccination chart of every child. These vaccines do not work on adults and they can alter the results of skin testing techniques.
The most important part is that if a doctor prescribes you medication for tuberculosis, you should finish the entire course even if you think that the symptoms of TB are no more. This is important for the well-being of yourself and others.
Countries With A High Rate Of Tuberculosis
The countries with the highest TB rates are:
- Africa; west Africa and Sub Saharan Africa
- Afghanistan
- India,
- Pakistan
- China
- Bangladesh
- Russia
- South America
- Philippines
- Cambodia
- Vietnam
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