Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, or talks. Tuberculosis treatment is vital or one could stay diseased for life.
Dr. Osman Ali Jan is an experienced Internal Medicine Specialist in Islamabad practising at Specialist Clinic. He has 17 years of experience and practices at Islamabad’s specialists clinic
In this session with oladoc, he discusses a crucial and known subject of Tuberculosis (TB). In the interview, he answered various questions related to early symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of TB.
Q.1. What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) bacteria. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Q.2. What are the early signs of tuberculosis?
Well, the major signs of tuberculosis include fever, rapid weight loss, night sweats. Other symptoms depend upon which part of the body is affected. If one has lungs TB, the person experiences a racing cough, blood in the mucus. If intestines are affected, then symptoms appear in the form of the stomach and digestive problems, stomach pain or constipation. Similarly, TB can affect joints and eyes as well.
Q.3. Is TB curable permanently?
Yes, TB can be completely cured. To cure Tb we have many medications available. Normally, we started with 4 different medicines. Unfortunately, some patients have drug-resistant bacteria, however, that can be treated with medicine as well. Treatment duration from 6 to 8 months and some times even a year.
Q.4. What is the diagnosis of TB?
Well, to diagnose TB, it is important to know which area is affected by it. If it is TB of the lungs, then chest X-rays, sputum test, HRCT test and some blood tests are done. Only after these tests, we can gauge the intensity of the condition.
Q.5. What happens if TB is left untreated?
Well, TB has a special characteristic in that it takes a while for the disease to progress. Unfortunately, many patients come to us at a stage when the disease has progressed so much that they are rendered diseased for life.
I would like to say that TB must be treated as soon as possible. If it is not, then one will be diseased for life.
If you want to learn more Tuberculosis, you can watch the full interview.
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