Tuberculosis Treatment in Delhi, India

Tuberculosis presents in two forms which are as follows:

• Latent TB: In this form of TB, the bacteria are present inside the body, but the immune system prevents them from transmitting. Patients don't exhibit any signs or symptoms, and it is neither contagious as well. But the infection is still present and has got the tendency to get active someday.
• Active TB: In this form of TB, bacteria present in the body multiply rapidly and make the patient ill. The infected person can surely spread this ailment via droplet infection to others. The majority of active cases present in adults usually emerge from a latent TB infection.

The usual signs and symptoms of active TB anywhere in the body are :

• Low-grade fever with evening rise
• Loss of weight and appetite
• Night sweats
• Fatigue

And then the symptoms involving the lungs are as follows:

• Prolonged Cough
• Mucus in cough
• Blood in sputum
• Chest pain while breathing or during coughing
• Breathlessness

Since tuberculosis does affect and involve various other parts of the body apart from the lungs, including the kidneys, spine or brain, therefore signs and symptoms differ accordingly. Tuberculosis of the spine induces back pain, whereas tuberculosis in the kidneys produces blood in the urine.

Doctor consultation is recommended if the patient is having fever, unexplained weight loss, drenching night sweats, or a persistent cough. Pulmonologists highly suggest that persons who have a greater risk of tuberculosis need to be screened for latent TB infection. This involves individuals:

• Having HIV/AIDS
• Who take IV drugs
• Are in touch with infected people
• Stay or work in areas where TB is frequent, like prisons or nursing homes
• Working in health care organisations and also treating people who possess a high probability of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that transmit from one person to another by means of droplet infection discharged into the air. This takes place when a person with the untreated and active form of tuberculosis either coughs, speaks, sneezes, spits, laughs, or sings, allowing the droplet infection to spread.

Although tuberculosis is transmissible, it's not easy to restrict the infection. Patients most often tend to get tuberculosis from someone they live or work with than from a stranger.

Tuberculosis can target anyone, but certain factors can increase the risk, including:

• Weakened immune system: Several conditions and medications can result in the weakening of the immune system, including HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, certain cancers, kidney disease, etc.

Other associated factors are:

• Using substances: The usage of IV drugs or excessive consumption of alcohol results in the weakening of the immune system of an individual and makes the patient more prone to tuberculosis.
• Using tobacco: Tobacco usage greatly enhances the risk of contracting tuberculosis.
• Working in health care: Regular interaction with people who are suffering from tuberculosis greatly increases the possibility of exposure to TB bacteria due to overcrowding and poor ventilation, which can be reduced by wearing a mask and frequent hand-washing.

Complications arising due to tuberculosis are as follows:

• Spinal pain. Persistent backache and spasms are usual complications arising due to tuberculosis.
• Joint damage. Arthritis arising from tuberculosis, i.e. tuberculous arthritis, generally affects the areas of hips and knees.
• Swelling of the membranes covering the brain, i.e. meningitis, causes a persistent or intermittent headache at times that occur for weeks.
• Liver or kidney problems. The liver and kidneys help filter the waste and impurities from the circulatory system. Tuberculosis in these organs can hinder their functioning.
• Heart disorders. Although rarely but tuberculosis can affect the tissues that surround the heart, causing inflammation and fluid accumulation, thereby interfering with the heart's efficacy in pumping the blood. This condition is called cardiac tamponade and turns out to be lethal.

If an individual tests positive for latent TB infection, the doctor might advise them to take medications regularly so as to reduce the risk of having active tuberculosis later. Only active TB is contagious and harmful.

Protection of family as well as friends

If the person has active TB, it generally takes a few weeks of regular treatment with TB medications before they are not contagious anymore. It is advised to adhere to the following tips in order to keep friends and family safe from contracting the infection:

• Stay home. Patients with infection are told not to go to work or school premises or sleep in a room with other family members during the first few weeks of treatment as they are highly infectious and can pass on the infection to others.
• Ventilate the room. The germs can spread more easily in small closed spaces where there is less ventilation. In order to avoid this, it is suggested to open the windows and use a fan to achieve proper ventilation.
• Cover the mouth. The use of tissue paper or a handkerchief to cover the mouth during laughter, sneezing, or coughing is done in order to prevent the bacteria from spreading all over.
• Wear a face mask. Wearing a face mask when other family members are present around during the first three weeks of treatment helps to lessen the risk of transmission.

Timely Medications

This is the most crucial step in the prevention of tuberculosis. If, due to any reason, patients stop the full course of treatment early or even skip doses, bacteria become resistant, which allows them to sustain the most effective TB drugs.

Vaccinations

In countries where cases of tuberculosis are more commonly seen, infants often are vaccinated with the BCG vaccine. Dozens of new TB vaccines are in various stages of development and testing.

Reviewed by Dr. Vivek Nangia, Principal Director & Head, Pulmonology on 19-May-2023.

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