Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is often seen in the lungs but can affect all organs.

What Causes Tuberculosis?
People infected with the tuberculosis microbe usually do not get sick immediately and continue their healthy lives. However, when the immune system is weakened, the microbes become active and tuberculosis occurs.

What are the Symptoms of Tuberculosis? Common symptoms of tuberculosis are:
• Cough that lasts at least 3 weeks
• Bloody sputum
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Intense weakness
Symptoms usually start mildly and progress slowly. In particular, attributing the cough to causes such as smoking or a cold can lead to a delay in the diagnosis of the disease.

Is Tuberculosis Contagious? How is Tuberculosis Transmitted?
Tuberculosis is spread by inhaling small droplets produced by an infected person's cough or sneeze. However, it is not an easily transmitted disease; it is usually transmitted to people who have long-term close contact with an infected person in environments such as family, school, workplace, ward.

What are the Risk Factors for Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is more easily transmitted and more common in people with weak immune systems. Risk factors include:
• Malnutrition
• Diabetes
• Use of immunosuppressive drugs (chemotherapy, cortisone, smart drugs)
• Chronic renal failure
• Family history of tuberculosis

How is Tuberculosis Diagnosed?
• Physician examination
• Skin test (PPD)
• Blood test
• Lung X-ray
• Sputum tests
• Computerized tomography

How is Tuberculosis (TB) Treated?
TB is a disease that can be treated with antibiotics. However, due to resistant microorganisms, the treatment period is longer than other infections. Treatment usually lasts 6-9 months and 4 different antibiotics are used together.
If medications are used irregularly or incompletely, the disease may recur or the risk of infecting the person's environment may continue. If the correct diagnosis and treatment are not applied, the disease can result in death.

This Content Has Been Translated From Turkish To English With Google Translate