It is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world- more in developing countries- & in areas/places where too many people live close or under single roof.
Tuberculosis - since there is formation of tubercles, the raised form of a tissue.
It is a disease of not only in humen but also in animals, and the most comment site/organ involved in human body is Lungs.
Tuberculosis is caused by bacterium – Mycobaterium tuberculosis. The bacterium spreads by means of air droplets that come out of a diseased person’s cough/sneezing.
The various forms of TB in human body :
Tuberculous meningitis (mostly arising from miliary TB)
Tuberculous adenitis
Pulmonary TB (most common)
Abdominal TB
Tuberculosis of bones(Potts Disease)
Miliary TB (Tubercular bacteria disseminated in blood)
Pulmonary TB is contracted through air droplets . And hence , where people live congested it’s the most prevalent.
Pulmonary TB if uncontrolled may disseminate to the Blood stream an then called ass Miliary TB. Miliary TB is a dangerous form.
Imagine, Tuberculous bacteria in blood, and Blood goes Every where ! So it may lead to tuberculous meningitis ,abdominal TB and Tb of the bones (Potts Disease).
Abdominal TB , however, is mostly contracted from drinking a TB diseased cow’s milk .
Bacillus Calmete Guerine (BCG) vaccine is used as a primary measure for prevention against TB.
Tuberculin Skin Test is used to identify those who are not vaccinated.
The screening method used for TB is X-ray Chest .
The main TREATMENT approach consists of Streptomycin, Isoniazid (INH), Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide as the first line drugs.
Those not responding to these drugs may be put to Second Line Drugs(cases of Resistant TB).
DOT (directly observed Therapy) is now t/m of choice for non compliant patients where a trained nurse gives each dose to the patient herself and hence the risk of patient missing the dose or not taking medicine at all is avoided.
(DOTS stands for Directly Observed Therapy, short course)
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