Tuberculosis, often referred to as TB, stands as one of humanity’s oldest and most persistent health challenges, capturing the interest of researchers and medical professionals for ages. The great majority of Indians have latent TB rather than active TB, with about 40% of the population infected with TB bacteria. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), TB kills about 300,000 people in India annually. The Indian subcontinent is home to one out of every five new cases of tuberculosis worldwide, according to the German Leprosy & Tuberculosis Relief Association, or DAHW. Shocking, right? Tuberculosis, or TB, is one of the most grave and major diseases facing India today.

Dr. Virendra Singh, a renowned chest specialist based in Jaipur, offers a clear and caring guide to understanding TB in simple terms. According to him, TB is a dangerous illness brought on by a particular kind of bacterium that typically targets the lungs but can also harm other body regions. It spreads through the air when a person with active TB coughs or sneezes. A persistent cough, chest pain, fever, weight loss, and night sweats are typical symptoms. Latent TB, according to Dr. Virendra Singh, can remain in the body without causing any symptoms and can reactivate if the immune system deteriorates. He strongly advises early diagnosis through proper tests and full treatment with the right medicines for several months.

What is Tuberculosis?

The bacterial infection known as tuberculosis often affects the lungs first, but it can spread to any organ in the body, including the kidneys, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. Originally thought to affect the poor, this disease is now recognized to affect people from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

What Causes Tuberculosis? 

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, can persist in the air for long periods of time. That’s why people with tuberculosis are advised to take precautions to prevent the BACTERIA FROM SPREADING TO OTHER INDIVIDUALS.

How Does Tuberculosis Spread? 

Mycobacterium tuberculosis-containing respiratory droplets released into the air by an individual with active tuberculosis disease are the main way that the disease is transmitted. The key modes of TB transmission include:

  • Airborne Transmission 

Inhaling respiratory droplets with the pathogenic germs is the main way that tuberculosis is spread. These droplets are released into the air when a person with active tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, speaks, or even sings. If another person inhales these contaminated droplets, they may become infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

  • Close and Prolonged Contact 

Close and extended contact with an infectious person increases the risk of tuberculosis transmission. This is particularly relevant in crowded or enclosed environments, such as prisons, households, or healthcare facilities, where the concentration of respiratory droplets in the air is higher.

  • Poor Ventilation

The risk of transmission may increase due to the persistence of infectious droplets in the air caused by inadequate ventilation in enclosed environments. The concentration of respiratory droplets is dispersed and diluted in well-ventilated spaces, which lowers the risk of tuberculosis transmission.

  • Weakened Immune System

People with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to contracting tuberculosis and are more likely to experience active tuberculosis. The risk of developing active TB disease from latent TB infection is increased by diseases like HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and several medical treatments.

What are the Types of Tuberculosis? 

Tuberculosis (TB) manifests in different forms, with two primary classifications: latent TB infection (LTBI) and active TB disease.

  • Latent TB Infection (LTBI)

In this form, the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis are present in individuals, although it is dormant after infection. People with latent TB do not exhibit symptoms and cannot spread the infection to others. However, Latent TB has the potential to develop into active TB disease, especially in those with compromised immune systems.

  • Active TB Disease 

This form happens when the bacteria become more reactive and cause clinical symptoms. Active TB can impact other areas of the body (extrapulmonary TB) or the lungs (pulmonary TB). A chronic cough, chest pain, fever, exhaustion, weight loss, and night sweats are some possible symptoms. People who have active tuberculosis can spread the bacterium to other people through the air, making the disease infectious.

  • Pulmonary TB: The germs mostly affect the lungs, resulting in symptoms including coughing, chest pain, and dyspnea. 
  • Extrapulmonary TB: The bacteria affect parts of the body outside the lungs, such as the spine, kidneys, brain, and lymph nodes.
  • Miliary TB: The germs in this severe and widely distributed version of the disease go to many organs through the bloodstream.
  • Drug-Resistant TB: Certain Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains have become resistant to one or more of the major antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis. More obstacles to successful treatment arise from drug-resistant TB.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tuberculosis? 

The signs and symptoms of tuberculosis might vary depending on whether the infection is latent or active. Here are common signs and symptoms associated with active TB disease:

  • Chest Pain: Chest pain is possible, especially when coughing or taking big breaths. Inflammation of the lung tissues may be the cause of this.
  • Cough: One of the most prevalent signs of pulmonary tuberculosis is a chronic cough that lasts for three weeks or more. Bloody sputum (phlegm or mucus) may be produced by the cough. 
  • Unexplained Weight Loss: People with active tuberculosis frequently have unexplained weight loss. A number of things, such as appetite loss and the body’s elevated metabolic needs during infection, may contribute to this.
  • Fatigue: Persistent fatigue and weakness are common symptoms of active TB. This can be a consequence of the body’s efforts to fight the infection.
  • Fever: Active tuberculosis may manifest as a low-grade or persistent fever, frequently accompanied by chills, particularly in the afternoon or evening.