TB (Tuberculosis ) Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Preventions

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Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria gets sick. Therefore, there are two conditions related to TB: latent TB infection (LTI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

Difference Latent TB Infection and TB Disease

Not all people infected with the TB bacteria get sick. As a result, there are two conditions related to TB: latent TB infection and TB disease.

latent tuberculosis infection

TB bacteria can live in the body without making you sick. This is called latent tuberculosis infection. In most people who inhale TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to keep it from growing. People with latent tuberculosis infection:

have no symptoms
don’t feel sick
You cannot spread the TB bacteria to others
Usually has a positive TB skin test reaction or a positive TB blood test
They can develop TB disease if they do not receive treatment for latent TB infection

TB disease

TB bacteria become active if the immune system cannot stop them from growing. When TB bacteria are active (multiplying in your body), this is called TB disease. People with TB disease are sick. They can also spread the bacteria to people they spend time with every day.

Many people who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. Some people develop TB disease soon after infection (within a few weeks) before their immune system can fight off the TB bacteria. Other people can get sick years later when their immune system is weakened for another reason.

Latent TB Infection	TB Disease
Has no symptoms	Has symptoms that may include: i. A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer ii. Pain in the chest iii. Coughing up blood or sputum iv. Veakness or fatigue v. Weight loss vi. No appetite vii. Chills viii. Fever ix. Sweating at night
Does not feel sick	Usually feels sick
Cannot spread TB bacteria to others	May spread TB bacteria to others
Usually has a skin test or blood test result indicating TB infection	Usually has a skin test or blood test result indicating TB infection
Has a normal chest x-ray and a negative sputum smear	May have an abnormal chest x-ray, or positive sputum smear or culture
Needs treatment for latent TB infection to prevent TB disease	Needs treatment to treat TB disease

How tuberculosis is spread:

Tuberculosis bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another. TB bacteria are released into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, talks, or sings. Nearby people can inhale these bacteria and become infected.

TB is NOT spread by

Shake someone’s hand
Share food or drink
Touching bedding or toilet seats
Share toothbrushes
Kissing

Signs & Symptoms:

TB bacteria usually grow in the lungs (pulmonary TB). TB disease in the lungs can cause symptoms such as

A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or more
Chest pain
coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from inside the lungs)

Other symptoms of tuberculosis disease are

weakness or fatigue
weightloss
no appetite
shaking chills
fever
sweating at night
Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the affected area.

People who have latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others.

Tuberculosis risk factors:

In general, about 5 to 10% of infected people who are not treated for latent TB infection will develop TB disease at some point in their lives. For people with weak immune systems, especially those with HIV infection, the risk of developing TB disease is much higher than for people with normal immune systems.

Generally, people at high risk of developing TB disease fall into two categories:

People who have recently been infected with the TB bacteria
People with medical conditions that weaken the immune system.

People who have recently been infected with the TB bacteria:

Close contacts of a person with infectious tuberculosis disease
People who have migrated from areas of the world with high rates of TB
Children under 5 years of age who have a positive TB test
Groups with high rates of TB transmission, such as homeless people, injection drug users, and people with HIV infection
People who work or live with people who are at high risk for tuberculosis in facilities or institutions such as hospitals, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and residential homes for people with HIV.

People with medical conditions that weaken the immune system.

HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS)
Substance abuse
Silicosis
Mellitus diabetes
severe kidney disease
low body weight
Organ Transplant
Head and neck cancer
Medical treatments such as corticosteroids or organ transplants
Specialized treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease

Tuberculosis prevention:

Many people who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. But some people who have latent TB infection are more likely to develop TB disease than others. People at high risk of developing TB disease include:

People with HIV infection
People who were infected with TB bacteria in the last 2 years
Babies and toddlers
People who inject illegal drugs
People who are sick with other diseases that weaken the immune system.
Elderly people
People who did not receive the correct treatment for TB in the past

Tests and Diagnosis:

Testing

There are two types of tests used to detect TB bacteria in the body: the TB skin test (TST) and TB blood tests. A positive TB skin test or TB blood test only indicates that a person has been infected with the TB bacteria. It does not indicate whether the person has latent TB infection (LTBI) or has progressed to TB disease. Other tests, such as a chest X-ray and a sputum sample, are needed to see if the person has TB disease.

Skin test: This is also known as the Mantoux tuberculin skin test. A technician injects a small amount of fluid into the skin of the lower arm. After 2 to 3 days, they will check your arm for swelling. If your results are positive, you probably have the TB bacteria. But you could also get a false positive. If you received a tuberculosis vaccine called bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), the test may say you have TB when you really don’t. Results can also be false negatives, saying you don’t have TB when you really do, if you have a very new infection. You may have this test done more than once.
Blood test: These tests, also called interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), measure the response when TB proteins are mixed with a small amount of blood.

Those tests don’t tell you if your infection is latent or active. If you get a positive blood or skin test, your doctor will know which type you have with: