Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Practically each and every part of human body with some exception can be affected with TB. Lungs, skin, bone, brain, eyes, intestine, liver, kidneys, spine all can be affected with TB infection. As per organ involvement clinical presentation will vary. Lung TB will have cough, fever, weight loss, Bone TB will present with pain, Intestinal TB will have abdominal pain, weight loss, Eye TB will present with redness of eyes.

Common cause for TB development is malnutrition and immunological compromises. India is highly endemic for TB. All Indians since their births are exposed to TB germs. So, all are at risk of getting TB in their life time whenever immunity goes down. Most of our harbor dormant TB germs in our body which gets activated whenever we have immunological compromises.

Such immunological compromises can happen if we don’t eat on time, don’t sleep on time, if we have long fasting gaps, if we work at odd hours, if we are under stress. Immunity also gets disturbed in diabetes, kidney diseases, steroids and in cancer.

There are two types of TB germs from treatment point of view: Drug sensitive and drug resistance [MDR TB].Treatment of drug sensitivity TB goes for 6 to 9 months duration depending upon site of TB involvement.MDR TB Treatment goes for 22 to 24 months. However, with availability of new drugs treatment for MDR TB duration can be minimized to 9 months. And good news is that these medicines are available free of cost with Government and municipal hospitals [DOTS PLUS].

Only Lung TB with patches on Xray chest and sputum test showing TB germs are infective to others. Other types of TB called as extra pulmonary TB is not infective to others.

To protect yourself from TB: eat on time, sleep on time and avoid long fasting gaps.