Tuberculosis: ways of infection. Tuberculosis of the lungs: signs and ways of infection

When considering a particular disease, many want to find out the ways of infection. Pulmonary tuberculosis can be picked up in several ways. The most common is through the air. This ailment has been known since ancient times. So, in the remains of mummies, doctors found changes indicating the presence of tuberculosis in the body. Another common question: “Is it possible to cure a disease?” Doctors claim that with modern medicine the chances are quite high. The main rule is to contact specialists on time. This disease is more specifically discussed in the article.

Social disease

Until 1882, people did not know how tuberculosis infection occurs. The main version was the human genetic predisposition. In those days, this ailment was a real scourge for the whole of Europe. For example, in Germany, mortality was huge (7 people per day).

The infectious disease specialist and doctor Robert Koch undertook a study of the disease. Under the microscope, the lung tissue of the diseased was examined. As a result, the scientist found out that everything was to blame for the thin sticks that pass through the organ. This discovery was reported at a conference of doctors. For his unique discovery, the scientist received the Nobel Prize.

Until now, doctors have claimed that tuberculosis is a social disease. Suffer, as a rule, people leading not quite normal lifestyle. It is common in prisons, among the poor, alcoholics and drug addicts. This occurs due to a decrease in immunity and the inability of the body to fight Koch's wand.

You can cope with the disease these days. The main rule is to consult a doctor immediately with the first symptoms. Only he can prescribe treatment. In any case, it will be comprehensive.

How can I get infected?

To find out why the disease occurs, you need to know the route of infection. Pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted in four ways:

1. Through the air and saliva. Perhaps this is the most common way. A person who has been diagnosed with an open form, secretes phlegm during a conversation, sneezing, coughing. It spreads bacteria that can live in the air for up to 1 hour. In addition, there is a possibility of bacteria settling on the patient’s clothes, mixing with dust. Inaccurate cleaning, shaking of linen, carpets can in this case lead to infection.

2. Contact way. This method is less common. You can get infected through the mucous membrane and the eye. In this case, the first sign will be acute conjunctivitis. There is also the possibility of bacteria entering through open wounds and cuts on the skin.

3. Infection by eating raw foods. It is worth considering the factor that not only people are susceptible to the disease, but also animals. Cows are carriers, so eating unboiled milk or raw meat can lead to infection. In this case, the bacteria enter the intestines, then affect the lymph nodes and only then end up in human blood.

4. In utero. Such cases are extremely rare, because the placenta completely protects the fetus. But there are exceptions. In medical practice, there were precedents when a newborn was infected from a sick mother.

Everyone is susceptible to a disease such as pulmonary tuberculosis. Routes of infection are well known. In order not to catch the ailment, it is necessary to observe preventive measures and do vaccination on time.

At risk

Ways and methods of infection with tuberculosis are well known to doctors and the public. It is worth noting that children and the elderly are most at risk. As for the kids, even in the hospital, parents are invited to vaccinate the child, which would protect him from tuberculosis. BCG vaccine is relatively safe, but still there may be consequences, a doctor will tell you about them. But if the baby was born full-term, healthy, without physical and mental disabilities, you should not refuse vaccination. Starting from 4 years old, every year the child should have a Mantoux test. This simple manipulation allows doctors to determine if the baby has a risk of contracting infection.

People over 55 are also at risk. Types of tuberculosis infection can vary. But the most common is through air. The fact is that immunity at this age is significantly reduced. The body begins to work not so smoothly. Many doctors recommend fluorography annually in order to determine the onset of the disease in time.

Will tuberculosis be cured: ways of infection, the first signs of the disease

It is worth remembering that if you immediately identify an ailment, it can be cured. Therefore, at the first signs of the disease, you must consult a doctor. So, what should alert you:

• Weakness, fatigue, broken condition.
• An increase in body temperature (not higher than 37.5). This usually happens in the evenings.
• A small cough that does not go away from taking syrups, but rather, only intensifies.
• Slight weight loss.
• Decreased appetite.
• Pain in the bronchi and chest.
• Sweating (especially at night).

Symptoms depend on the route of infection. Pulmonary tuberculosis is a rather insidious disease. It is not always possible to immediately recognize it. The contact path of infection will be accompanied by conjunctivitis.

How to detect tuberculosis

In order to prevent an epidemic, countries are vaccinated to protect against Koch's bacillus. In addition, doctors recommend an examination once a year. For children from 4 years old, this is a Mantoux test. A special solution is injected subcutaneously, which allows you to determine the body's reaction to tuberculin. The doctor measures the redness where the injection was made with a special transparent ruler. If the norms are exceeded, the child is referred for consultation with a TB specialist.

For adolescents and adults, fluorography must be a mandatory procedure. The radiation dose is minimal, so the process is considered absolutely harmless.

Interesting Facts

There are moments associated with the disease that many adults are not aware of. Among them:

1. The possibility of contracting tuberculosis.
2. Bacteria adapt well to environmental conditions.
3. Tuberculosis is not afraid of the cold. Koch's wand does not die even in a cryochamber, where the temperature reaches -70 degrees.
4. The disease is resistant to many drugs, this is the main difficulty in treating the disease. To completely get rid of it, doctors offer comprehensive treatment.
5. The optimum temperature for the life of bacteria is +37 ° C.
6. Tuberculosis is treatable.
7. Bacteria can live on the pages of books, in dusty rooms for up to 6 months.

As you can see, coping with the disease is not easy, but this is possible thanks to new methods and technologies that are used for treatment.

Is it possible to get rid of an illness

Unfortunately, a disease such as pulmonary tuberculosis has recently become widespread. Ways of infection can be different. This usually happens through the air.

For many patients, it is important whether the disease is treatable. Doctors give a positive assessment. Thanks to modern methods, which are used in combination with medications, a terrible disease can be cured within a year and a half.

The situation is more complicated with children. The problem is that many drugs are prohibited for them. Nevertheless, in this case there are positive aspects. The immunity of a child is much better and stronger than an adult. The most important thing is to consult a doctor in a timely manner, and not to self-medicate.

The open and closed form of the disease: which is worse?

Many people ask: “How is tuberculosis transmitted?” Ways of infection can be different, it all depends on the form of the disease. Not every person who has an illness can be a carrier. Only one with an open form of tuberculosis is dangerous. In this case, bacteria are liberated abundantly with sputum. Doctors say that the process can be stopped, for this the disease must be put into remission, close the foci of inflammation, and then actively engage in treatment.

Preventive measures

Better to prevent the disease than to treat it. For this:

1. Strengthen the immune system. Do hardening, sports.
2. Watch out for food. The diet should contain fruits, vegetables, meat, greens.
3. Do not smoke.
4. Ventilate the room (especially for kindergartens, schools).
5. Wet clean several times a week.
6. Take daily walks in nature.
7. Wash your hands with soap after visiting the street.

Remember, tuberculosis is curable, you only need to seek medical help in a timely manner.

Adults Note

Every person needs to know that:

• The carrier may be a patient who suffers from an open form of tuberculosis.
• In order to protect children from illness, it is necessary to make a BCG vaccine. For those babies who have weakened immunity, a small body weight, the vaccine can be delayed or made into BCG-M vaccine.
• No vaccination will provide 100% protection against tuberculosis.
• In order to be sure that the disease has not touched you, it is necessary to undergo fluorography once a year. Children under 16 years old are better to do a Mantoux test.
• In order to completely cure the disease, you need to apply complex treatment.
• Compliance with sanitary standards prevents the appearance of an ailment.
• The causative agent is in every body, but the disease manifests itself in those who have reduced immunity.

Before treating a disease, you need to know the path of infection. Pulmonary tuberculosis is quite insidious. Symptoms do not always occur. A person may not pay attention to banal fatigue and weakness. Tuberculosis can be cured by the use of modern methods and accurate diagnosis. Remember, at the first signs of the disease, you must consult a doctor!