Tuberculosis is an infectious-contagious disease, produced by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is called the koch bacillus, honoring its discoverer, the German microbiologist Roberto Koch. Generally, tuberculosis affects the lungs, however when it spreads throughout the body it can affect other organs.
Tuberculosis is a highly contagious disease, which was very popular in the past, specifically during the industrial revolution, this was due to the large number of people who moved from rural areas to the city, where they had to live in very high places. small and in deplorable hygienic conditions.
There are two types of tuberculosis, pulmonary and extrapulmonary. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the one that affects the area of the lungs and is characterized by a persistent cough that can last several weeks. While the extra pulmonary can affect any part of the body other than the lungs, for example: the brain, the lymph nodes or the spine.
Tuberculosis in pregnant women is very dangerous, since the fetus can be transmitted through its mother, if it breathes or swallows amniotic fluid before or after birth.
An infected person can infect another when he coughs or sneezes, since in doing so he releases tiny droplets of saliva that can be inhaled by healthy people, infecting them. Infected patients who live in very closed or poorly ventilated places, the risk of contagion is greater, since these saliva droplets are concentrated in the environment, favoring their respiration. This is why in those areas of extreme poverty, where there are large families living in two-room homes and there is an infected person, the proliferation of this disease is very common.
The symptoms that indicate the existence of tuberculosis are:
Cough. This is the symptom that most characterizes the disease, since it is the most frequent means of contagion. Because it is such a common symptom in many diseases, people may not give it so much importance, given this, it is essential to go to the doctor when the cough exceeds two weeks.
The expulsion of phlegm, which is sometimes accompanied by blood. The presence of a slight fever, which usually arises in the afternoon. Chest pain, this is due to the strong infection in the lung area. Tiredness, fatigue Sweating at night Loss of appetite
When tuberculosis is extra pulmonary, it can affect other parts of the body in the following way: causing tuberculosis infections in the eye area, specifically in the iris, choroid and ciliary bodies. There is cardiovascular tuberculosis, it damages the heart and blood vessels. Tuberculosis affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
There are two tests that can diagnose the disease: the blood test and the tuberculin skin test. However, the results obtained by these tests will only indicate that the person has been infected with the bacteria, but will not indicate if the disease has evolved, which is why other tests are carried out, such as sputum sampling or X-rays thorax.
As for the treatment applied in these cases, it is based on the application of antibiotics. Regarding prevention, it is recommended to vaccinate babies with BCG. It is important to identify infected time, to keep them in quarantine. The sick person should try to wash their hands after coughing, protect themselves with a handkerchief (preferably disposable) every time they cough or sneeze, the use of masks is very important, there must be adequate ventilation of the place where they live, among others.
Tuberculosis is curable if it is treated in time and if the patient complies with the treatment indicated by the doctor to the letter.
