What is TB?
It is an infectious disease thatit is transmitted by airborne droplets. This is what makes pulmonary tuberculosis very dangerous, since it has all the prerequisites for becoming an epidemic. However, this is unlikely to threaten modern society. It is worth saying "thank you" to vaccination. In the old days, pulmonary tuberculosis (consumption) could become (and often did become) a real killer, responsible for a huge number of lives. What causes this disease? Tuberculosis is based on the so-called Mycobscterium tuberculosis, its other name is Koch's bacillus. This type of bacteria was discovered at the end of the 19th century by a scientist named Robert Koch. To date, Mycobscterium tuberculosis has been well studied. By the way, this microbe can cause tuberculosis not only in humans, but also in some animal species, which only aggravates the spread of the disease. As a rule, domesticated animal species are susceptible to pulmonary tuberculosis. Lungs - this is not the only organ that can become a target for tuberculosis. But it is pulmonary tuberculosis that is much more common, and its nature has been studied in the most detail. Mortality from such a disease is approximately 16-19%. As for the number of patients, at the moment in Russia tuberculosis in the lungs is detected in approximately 80 people out of 100,000. It is slightly more common in men than in women. But statistics claim that in women this disease has a less active course.
How does infection occur and what is the further development of the disease?
As mentioned earlier, the bacteriumMycobscterium tuberculosis is transmitted by airborne droplets. This can happen when talking to a sick person, sneezing nearby, coughing or any close contact with them. The most accurate statement would be that it is not so much the closeness of contact that is important, but the very entry of Mycobscterium tuberculosis in the form of aerosol secretions. After this, the bacillus gets on the human mucous membranes, and then inside the body: in the lungs or in the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, primary tuberculosis infection occurs. In this case, it will be much better if the bacillus goes to the stomach. There it has a chance of dissolving under the influence of a harsh acid-base environment. In the case of entry into the lungs, the chance of catching tuberculosis is much higher. The environment for the development of tuberculosis there is much more favorable. In the first period after entering the human body, Mycobscterium tuberculosis does not manifest itself in any way. Moreover, even from the immune system, it remains unnoticed. The incubation period can last for an unlimited time. The incubation period ends when the body can no longer resist the infection. By the way, during the incubation period, a person can infect others. The bacterium takes advantage of this favorable period for it and reproduces as quickly as possible. The infection multiplies especially well in tissues where there is good blood and lymph circulation. For example, in the lungs, kidneys and lymph nodes. After the bacterium has reproduced, the decisive moment comes. A lot is decided during this period. If the body and its immunity are strong enough, then Mycobscterium tuberculosis is perfectly exterminated from the human body, which does not allow the disease itself to develop. In this case, one can say with almost complete certainty that the treatment will help. But if the body is weakened, it contains factors that weaken it (chronic vitamin deficiency, diabetes, HIV, hepatitis and other diseases, then there is a high probability that pulmonary tuberculosis will soon pass into its active stage, having the ability to develop quickly. At this point, another question is decided: will a person with Mycobscterium tuberculosis be contagious. So, if the bacterium comes out of the so-called granuloma, then the disease has entered an open form, which means that the patient actively releases infection into the environment. If the granuloma, where the bacteria are contained, has retained its integrity, then it is almost impossible to get infected from such a person. But it's time to figure out what the first signs of tuberculosis are. How does it manifest itself in the early and subsequent stages? And how to independently identify the symptoms of this terrible disease? Each person should have this knowledge, because it can help to prevent or stop the disease in time.
Symptoms of the disease that can be identified independently
Of course, the most accurate is tuberculosisis detected during laboratory tests, as well as during a full examination by a doctor and his professional consultation. But there are a number of symptoms that should be an "alarm bell" for a person. Signs of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults and children are almost the same. In general, it can be said that there are no absolutely characteristic symptoms that are inherent only to tuberculosis. But, for example, it is worth worrying if there is a long-term persistent cough, which is accompanied by active secretion of sputum, and in some cases, blood. Shortness of breath appears, and it sometimes becomes difficult for a person to breathe. Along with this, a dry cough is often encountered, so the release of sputum or blood is not a defining symptom. And hemoptysis itself occurs in the last stages of pulmonary tuberculosis. This is due to the occurrence of bleeding in the lungs, which results in such an unpleasant and very alarming symptom. What other signs of tuberculosis can there be? Shortness of breath - This is also a symptom that is observed in advanced stages of pulmonary tuberculosis. At this point, most of this organ is already affected, which makes breathing much more difficult for the sick person. As a result, shortness of breath occurs. The lack of oxygen is very difficult to compensate for, and if it is possible (with oxygen masks and other devices), then this significantly limits the patient's vital activity and mobility. But there is still one clear sign of pulmonary tuberculosis. And it is called tuberculosis intoxication. How to recognize it? Tuberculosis intoxication has a negative effect on the body. It manifests itself in the following symptoms:
- sharp and unmotivated weight loss;
- An unusual and previously not observed blush on the cheeks of a reddish hue;
- simultaneously with this present unhealthy pallor of the skin throughout the body;
- unresponsive drowsiness, which is even after a long sleep (this is due to brain intoxication);
- a constant increase in body temperature in the range from 37.2 to 38.3 ° C (subfebrile temperature);
- changes in appetite (from its complete absence to a significant increase, bordering on overeating);
- night sweating of the body, because of which a person often wakes up in a so-called cold sweat.
However, it is not uncommon for tuberculosis to develop in the early stageslungs proceeds completely asymptomatically and unnoticed by its owner. In this case, only timely clinical studies can help, some of which are familiar to everyone. What methods are we talking about?
Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis
All of the above symptoms and signsdiseases can be called primary. They can be noticeable to the person himself. But medicine is not limited to this. To establish an accurate diagnosis, a number of already established studies are used that will accurately determine the presence of the disease, its stage and development. The most common type of study, which is familiar to absolutely everyone, is fluorography. At the moment, billions of people do it every year. Such manipulation reveals any changes in the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes. This method is instrumental. The same group includes chest X-ray, computed tomography, bronchoscopy and some others. As for laboratory methods for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis, bacterioscopy of sputum and bronchial washings is most often used now. The obtained material is subjected to a test, during which the Mycobscterium tuberculosis bacteria are stained in a characteristic color. Along with this, a laboratory study of pleural fluid, a biopsy of the lung, pleura and lymph nodes can be carried out. And finally, immunological methods of detecting the disease. These include the well-known Mantoux test. Two tuberculated units are injected under the skin, which helps to see the body's reaction to them. But today we can state the fact that the Mantoux test is an outdated method. Quite often it gives false positive results, which makes both the patient and the doctor worry. A much more advanced and modern immunological test can be called the Diaskintest. This is an express test to detect pulmonary tuberculosis. It is based on the same subcutaneous injection with specific tuberculosis proteins. The chance of error is minimal, and therefore specialists around the world prefer to use the Diaskintest, and not the Mantoux test. In extremely complex and difficult to diagnose cases, the polymerase chain reaction can be used, which also belongs to the group of immunological methods for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis.
Treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis
Treatment of this disease consists of severalcomponents. Of course, everything depends on its manifestation and form. The most important condition for treatment is that it must be carried out in specialized clinics, which are otherwise called tuberculosis dispensaries. Such measures are associated with the desire to limit the patient's contacts with society in order to prevent further spread of the infection. The treatment is based on special anti-tuberculosis antimicrobial drugs that suppress the activity of the bacterium Mycobscterium tuberculosis. Treatment with such drugs is quite effective, especially in the early stages. But they also have their tangible disadvantages. So, over time, the number of strains that are insensitive to the influence of the drug increases. In the treatment of tuberculosis, a surgical method can also be used. It is used in advanced forms of the disease, in the presence of complications. As for the latter, these can be various bleeding, pneumothorax, empyema and some others. The next stage of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis is aimed at eliminating the inevitable tuberculosis intoxication. Intoxication also occurs from taking antimicrobial drugs. To reduce intoxication of the body, various vitamins, sorbents, hepatoprotectors, infusion therapy and other elements are used. During treatment, you will also have to fight oxygen deficiency, which, as already mentioned, is caused by damage to the lung tissue. Elimination of hypoxia significantly facilitates the course of the disease and the treatment itself. For this, some devices can be used to normalize breathing. Among them are oxygen masks, oxygen concentrators for rooms and some others. In general, treatment should be carried out in a timely manner, it should have a clearly thought-out program, there should be systematicity and consistency. All the time during the treatment, the patient should be under the close supervision of a specialist. By the way, such doctors as a pulmonologist and a phthisiatrician do this. But a much better remedy than any, even the most effective treatment, is prevention. Tuberculosis treatment can last for years, and sometimes even throughout life. And prevention will take much less time and effort.
Tuberculosis: prevention
Vaccination is the basis for preventionof this disease. As already mentioned, it is a social disease. This is an important factor. No less important is the fact that it can be transmitted from person to person through the air. Therefore, a person who does not lead an antisocial lifestyle, but, for example, is constantly in contact with a large number of people at work, can become infected. In this and other cases, vaccination will help to avoid infection. At the moment, there is no more effective method of prevention than vaccination. Additionally, it is necessary to limit all contacts with people who are potential carriers of tuberculosis. At risk are people without a fixed abode, HIV-infected people and those serving sentences in places of imprisonment, and some other categories of people leading an asocial and deviant lifestyle. These are the people who most often suffer from pulmonary tuberculosis. For the purpose of prevention, it is worthwhile to undergo chest X-rays annually in adults and children. It is included in the list of mandatory medical measures that every person must undergo periodically. This applies to both adults and children. In addition, there is no distinction in terms of vaccination. Both adults and children need to be vaccinated. Thus, today's knowledge will help to strengthen your knowledge in the issue of such a disease as pulmonary tuberculosis. This will help not to get infected or to recognize the disease in time, based on the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis, to stop the disease, to conduct effective treatment. And let health not fail anyone! The life of each person can and should be full. And physical condition plays one of the primary roles in this.
