Overview
You get active TB disease if you have TB germs in your body and your body is unable to stop them from developing.
Although tuberculosis (TB) mostly affects the lungs, it can also affect other organs such the brain, kidneys, or spine. Additionally, tuberculosis (TB) can impact different bodily areas simultaneously. For instance, TB can impact lymph nodes as well as the lungs.
There are a lot of active TB germs in the body of a person who has active TB disease.
feels ill and has symptoms.
may transmit TB germs to other people.
usually has a TB infection confirmed by a positive TB skin test or blood test.
may have a positive sputum smear or culture, or an abnormal chest x-ray.
has active tuberculosis and requires treatment.
Symptoms and indicators
The location of the TB germs throughout the body determines the symptoms of active tuberculosis.
Lungs with active tuberculosis illness may cause:
a cough lasting more than three weeks
chest ache
spitting out sputum or blood, which is mucus from the lungs’ interior
lassitude or weariness
Loss of weight
appetite decline
Feeling cold
High temperature
Sweats at night
Depending on the affected location, several sections of the body may exhibit symptoms of active tuberculosis:
Under the skin, there may be a firm red or purple swelling due to tuberculosis illness of the lymph nodes.
Urine that has blood in it may be a sign of kidney TB illness.
Headache or disorientation may be symptoms of TB meningitis, or TB illness of the brain.
Back discomfort may be caused by TB illness of the spine.
Hoarseness may be brought on by laryngeal tuberculosis.
How long before symptoms appear
Before their immune systems have a chance to combat the TB germs, some individuals have acute tuberculosis (TB) within weeks of contracting the infection. Those who have immune-suppressive diseases like diabetes, cancer, or HIV, or who take specific drugs, are especially at risk for this.
There are others who have latent TB infection, commonly known as inactive TB.
When their immune system is unable to stop the TB germs from growing and multiplying in their body, some persons with inactive TB go months or even years without ever developing active TB disease.
One in ten individuals with inactive TB will develop active TB disease if they are not treated. In the US, the majority of patients with active TB disease are first diagnosed after years of inactive TB.
Factors at risk
Although TB can infect anyone, certain individuals with dormant TB have a higher risk of developing active TB than others.
Once infected, individuals at high risk for tuberculosis disease fall into two groups:
Individuals who have recently contracted TB germs; those on specific drugs; and those with health disorders including diabetes, cancer, or HIV that may compromise their immune system.
Even if you have had the TB vaccine, commonly known as the Bacille Calmette-Guérin or BCG vaccine, you may still be susceptible to contracting tuberculosis because the vaccine’s effectiveness erodes with time.
How it disseminates
People contract tuberculosis (TB) from one another through the air. When a person has active tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings, the germs are released into the air. Inhaling these tuberculosis bacteria can lead to infection in humans.
Inhaling TB bacteria might cause the germs to land in the lungs and start to develop. The kidney, spine, or brain are among the other body areas to which the tuberculosis germs can travel through the blood from there.
People contract tuberculosis (TB) from one another through the air.
Depending on the surroundings, tuberculosis germs can linger in the air for multiple hours. Compared to outdoor settings, enclosed spaces and locations with limited air circulation—like a confined car—are more prone to harbour tuberculosis germs.
Individuals who have active tuberculosis are more likely to infect those with whom they interact often. This applies to friends, family, coworkers, and classmates. People who have spent time with someone who has active tuberculosis may be contacted by health department workers to inform them that they should get tested because they may have been exposed to tuberculosis germs. We refer to this as a contact investigation.
Avoidance
Inactive TB patients may progress to active TB disease if they do not receive therapy. The best defence against developing active TB disease is to treat any inactive TB you may have.
When exposed to TB germs, some individuals with compromised immune systems (caused by drugs or other disorders) have an extremely high chance of developing active tuberculosis. In order to stop the spread of active TB disease, it is critical that these individuals receive treatment for inactive TB.
Discuss your risk of tuberculosis (TB) with your healthcare professional.
In the event that you were exposed to active tuberculosisIf you suspect you may have come into contact with someone who has active tuberculosis, get in touch with your doctor or the local health authority. Tell the medical professional exactly when you spent time with the patient who has active tuberculosis.
Fast facts
One of the most common infectious disease killers worldwide is tuberculosis.
In the United States, 8,331 cases of tuberculosis were reported in 2022.
602 Americans lost their lives to tuberculosis-related causes in 2021.
Examination and diagnosis
A healthcare professional should assess anyone exhibiting signs of tuberculosis (TB) or who has tested positive for the disease through a skin test or blood test.
medical assessment for tuberculosis
A TB illness medical examination consists of:
medical background
physical assessment
Test for tuberculosis (TB) (TB skin test or TB blood test)
x-ray of the chest
tests in the lab (sputum smear and culture) to determine the presence of tuberculosis germs
drug resistance testing in laboratories
Checking for tuberculosis
The TB blood test and the TB skin test are the two different ways to screen for TB infection. Find out from your doctor which TB test is appropriate for you.
Test for Tuberculosis
To determine whether you are infected with tuberculosis (TB) bacteria, a blood sample is used in TB blood tests, also known as interferon-gamma release assays, or IGRAs. The tests assess the immune response to a little amount of TB proteins mixed with your blood.
Inform your medical professional whether you have had the TB vaccine.
The TB vaccine, commonly known as Bacille Calmette-Guérin or BCG, has been administered to a large number of individuals who were born outside of the United States.
For those who have received the TB vaccine, TB blood tests are the recommended examination. BCG vaccine has no effect on TB blood testing, in contrast to TB skin tests.
Skin Test for Tuberculosis
A tiny needle is used by a medical professional to pierce the skin to apply testing material for the tuberculosis skin test. To find out if there is a reaction, you must see your doctor again in two to three days.
Comprehending the Results of a TB Blood Test or TB Skin Test
You have tuberculosis bacteria in your body if your test results indicate a positive infection. To ascertain if you have active or inactive tuberculosis, your healthcare provider will do additional testing. A chest x-ray and a test on the phlegm (sputum) you cough up are two possible tests.
Although the likelihood of dormant TB or active TB disease is low, your healthcare professional may nevertheless order additional testing if:
You experience fever, weight loss, fatigue, coughing, and chest pain, which are signs of active tuberculosis.
You are HIV positive.
You recently came into contact with TB bacteria.
x-ray of the chest
The majority of TB patients have lung TB illness. Your physician might order a chest x-ray to check for indications of tuberculosis in your lungs.
lab examinations
You may be asked to provide samples to your healthcare professional. Sputum, or phlegm, specimens are frequently used to screen for tuberculosis (TB) in the lungs. In addition, your healthcare professional might run more tests, take tissue samples, or get a urine sample. TB bacteria that may be outside of your lungs can be found with these tests.
To find out if your sample contains TB bacteria, the lab will perform tests including a smear and a culture test. The laboratory will also do tests to determine whether TB medications can eradicate the TB germs if they are discovered in your sample.
Identification
You might receive an active TB disease diagnosis if you exhibit signs of the illness, have a positive TB blood test or TB skin test, and your doctor discovers evidence of active TB disease during the medical evaluation.
Handling
You will take medication to treat your TB illness if it is active. It is imperative that you take all of your tuberculosis medication as prescribed by your physician. This is to keep other people from getting sick and to assist you in feeling better.
You will need to take many TB medications if you have active TB disease. This is because there need to be numerous TB bacteria eliminated. It is more effective to take many TB medications to eradicate all TB germs and stop them from developing resistance to the drugs.
Treatment for tuberculosis may take four months, six months, or more, depending on the TB treatment plan your doctor recommends.
It is crucial that you take the medication as directed and finish the entire prescription:
Drug resistance may develop in the TB germs that are still alive if you stop taking the medications too soon or if you take them incorrectly. Drug-resistant tuberculosis is more difficult to treat.
Directly Watched Counselling
Directly observed therapy (DOT) is the most effective technique to ensure that you remember to take your medications for active tuberculosis disease. You will see a health care provider daily or multiple times a week through DOT. These sessions could take place virtually (using a computer, tablet, or smartphone) or in person. The medical professional will monitor your use of your tuberculosis medications and ensure that they are functioning as intended.