Most Common Questions People Ask about Tuberculosis
This week, allow me to provide the answers to the most common questions people ask about tuberculosis or TB, which is one of the diseases affecting the lungs and other organs of the body.
First of all, what is TB?
TB is an infection caused by the bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can infect any organ of the body like kidney, spine, intestine and the brain and not just the lungs.
Who can get TB?
All of us can get TB, but there are certain groups of people who are at higher risk of getting TB. These groups of people include health care workers who get in contact with TB patients and people who are living in a country where TB infection is prevalent like the Philippines.
What are the most common symptoms of TB?
The most common symptom of TB is cough. Other symptoms include fever, night sweats, hemoptysis (spitting of blood), weight loss, poor appetite, weakness, fatigue. Blood in the urine is common in patients with TB of the kidney. TB of the brain may lead to headaches, agitation and even coma. TB of the intestine can cause abdominal pain, constipation, intestinal obstruction that may require surgery. TB of the spine can present symptoms such as weakness in your extremities which may progress to paralysis if not treated.
Who should get tested for TB?
All household contact of a TB patient should be tested for the disease. Anyone with signs and symptoms of TB which were mentioned above should be tested as soon as possible.
What is the gold standard test for TB?
TB culture is the gold standard in diagnosing the said disease. However, TB culture is expensive, not readily available and the waiting time for the result is too long, which may take 4 to 6 weeks.
Other tests that can be used to detect TB are chest x-ray and genxpert. The doctor can use sputum acid-fast bacteria (AFB) staining to test for TB, if genxpert is not available.
What if my chest x-ray is positive and I am TB symptomatic, do I need TB treatment even if my sputum exam is negative?
Yes, because most patients with TB usually have negative sputum test, which is either AFB or genxpert.
Can I stop my TB treatment anytime if my symptoms improve?
No! The minimum duration of TB treatment is 6 months. The treatment for TB of the bones and brain should be extended to at least 12 months. Relapse is common if TB treatment is stopped prematurely.
Who can avail themselves of TB DOTS?
All patients with TB can avail themselves of the TB Direct Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS), and this treatment is free of charge.
Can I still have TB even if I’m fully vaccinated against the disease?
Yes, TB vaccine will only prevent severe disease.
How can I avoid TB infection?
One can avoid TB infection by improving his/her immune system through regular exercise, balanced diet, adequate sleep and avoiding smoking.
These are some of the most common questions people have about TB. I hope that more people will become aware of this common infection.