One of the dangerous pathologies of an infectious nature is tuberculosis. Previously, such a diagnosis sounded like a death sentence. Today, there are several ways to combat this formidable disease. However, it is still fatal for many. The prevention of tuberculosis is the best way to avoid a dangerous pathology.
What is an infection?
Today, almost everyone has an idea about this disease. It is caused by a special microorganism (Koch's wand), named after the scientist who discovered it. The causative agent of pathology is characterized by the rapid spread throughout the human body through lymph and blood. Signs of tuberculosis are found in people of both sexes and different age categories. The carrier of infection is an infected individual. Half of the people who come in contact with these patients are at high risk of getting sick. Tuberculosis affects the respiratory system. However, there are varieties of pathology that act on other organs. It can be the lymph glands, the nervous system, the skin, bones. How is tuberculosis transmitted? First of all, infection occurs during a conversation or in the process of sneezing, coughing, using common household items.
The microorganism causing the pathology is extremely resistant to adverse environmental factors (chemicals, low temperature), it “loves” darkness, humidity and poorly ventilated rooms. However, the stick is not able to survive in heat, dies under the influence of light and chlorine.
The latent period in patients with this disease lasts from two to eight weeks, in rare cases - about twelve months.
The most vulnerable populations
This pathology, as a rule, infects individuals with poor functioning of the immune system. Speaking about how tuberculosis is transmitted, it should be noted that the greatest likelihood of its development occurs in the following cases:
- Long and regular stay near patients.
- Poor material and living conditions (malnutrition, non-compliance with sanitation and hygiene rules, addictions).
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
- Childhood.
- Diabetes.
- Regular stay in wet, cold rooms.
- Eating meat and dairy products obtained from infected livestock (in this case, the pathology affects the digestive tract).
Tuberculosis is a common disease today. This is due to an increase in the number of low-income people, as well as emigrants from places where infection is widespread.
Primary and secondary variety
There are situations when signs of pathology occur in infants after contact with an infected person. Symptoms do not appear brightly, they may be invisible for several weeks. Speaking about the types of tuberculosis, it should be added that the primary type, characteristic of young children, is very difficult to detect. The only possible diagnostic method is the Mantoux reaction. This test allows you to detect the presence of symptoms of poisoning of the body as a result of the activity of the rods.
A secondary variety of pathology is quite common. It develops from existing sites affected by the disease, and is a form of latent infection. This condition is considered one of the types of tuberculosis, for which pronounced symptoms are also not characteristic.
Open and closed type
Speaking about such categories, experts take into account whether the infected person poses a danger to those around him. The first type of pathology is characterized by a high risk of infection.
This is because pathogens are excreted in sputum and saliva. In laboratory tests, bacteria are found in biological material. Open tuberculosis is not a very common occurrence. Closed type is more common. With this course of the disease, the patient is not able to infect other people. His infection is sluggish, but exacerbations occasionally occur. Unfortunately, this type of pathology is difficult to treat. Pathogens become resistant to drugs, and treatment has to be carried out over time. Unlike open tuberculosis, the closed type can only be detected by a doctor with the help of lung examinations (x-rays and fluorography).
Focal infection and infiltrative form
These varieties of the disease arise due to the penetration of a significant number of sticks into the body as a result of contact with the source of infection. Pathogens are distributed to different organs and tissues of the human body through blood and lymph. The infection usually affects the lungs.
With a focal type, the diagnosis of tuberculosis (for example, an X-ray examination) allows you to identify several areas affected by the disease. Usually, the pathology does not manifest itself with pronounced symptoms. However, patients with this deviation often complain of constant fatigue, a cough with mucus and blood that lasts about three weeks, weight loss, loss of interest in food and a feeling of lack of air.
The infiltrative type is dangerous to others. A patient with this kind of pathology is able to infect others, and his own condition deteriorates sharply. Symptoms in this case resemble pneumonia, and when examined on the surface of these organs, cavities are visible.
This form of infection is difficult to treat if the patient has low immunity, malnutrition, stress and addiction. If the pathological process affects the left lung, there is a high probability of damage to the heart muscle. This condition entails dangerous consequences.
Therefore, signs of tuberculosis in the early stages cannot be ignored. Sometimes the condition worsens so much that changes in the organs become extremely serious. The sooner an ailment is discovered, the easier it is to deal with it.
Stages of the development of the disease
There are three stages of tuberculosis. At the first stage, the inflammatory process begins in those organs and systems into which the pathogen enters (for example, in the lymph glands). Symptoms in this period are weak and fuzzy. In general, the patient feels rather well.
The second stage is characterized by the rapid penetration of rods into other tissues and organs. Immunity becomes weak. In various systems of the human body, inflammatory phenomena occur.
The last stage of tuberculosis is characterized by the formation of extensive lesions, usually in the respiratory system. The infection becomes open, clearly makes itself felt. The patient infects others.
The main signs of pathology
In the early stages, it is not easy to recognize. However, there are several first signs of tuberculosis that may suggest the development of pathology. The following symptoms can be mentioned as such symptoms:
- Cough that lasts for two to three weeks.
- Heat.
- Increased perspiration at night and in the morning.
- Fatigue, depression, a sense of anxiety.
- Sense of weakness in the muscles.
- Rapid weight loss, despite maintaining the same diet.
One of the first signs of tuberculosis is coughing. However, this symptom does not apply to the specific manifestations of a particular disease. It is also characteristic of many other pathologies of the respiratory system. However, if the cough does not stop for fourteen days, this is a serious reason for testing for tuberculosis.
Features and signs of the acute course of the disease
The following symptoms are characteristic of this variety:
- A cough that does not stop for a month.
- Separation of mucus and blood when coughing.
- A slight rise in temperature.
- Significant weight loss.
- Pronounced fatigue.
- Loss of interest in food.
- Frequent mood swings.
- Anxiety and irritability.
- Impossibility of long-term performance of any work.
The signs of tuberculosis as the disease progresses can vary depending on those organs and systems that the pathogen infects. The intensity of symptoms is also determined by the presence or absence of complications. There are times when an infection develops gradually, and a person suffers from it for ten or more years.
When is it necessary to urgently consult a doctor?
You should not postpone a visit to the doctor if the patient discovers the following symptoms:
- Bleeding from the lungs, bleeding from coughing.
- A strong and sharp feeling of pain in the chest area that appears during breathing.
- High fever, sweating, chills.
No less dangerous are the signs of tuberculosis, which affects not the lungs, but other organs and systems.
If the infection affects the digestive tract (which often happens when eating meat and milk from sick animals), the patient suffers from diarrhea with an admixture of blood, pain in the intestines, severe fever. With this form of the disease, the temperature can reach 40 degrees Celsius. If the inflammatory process develops in the bone tissue, curvature of the joints, a hump forms, the spinal column is deformed. Most often, this pathology occurs in minors. Tuberculosis of the meninges often occurs in AIDS patients. It is manifested by disorders of consciousness, pain in the head, coma. The skin type of this infection is characterized by the formation of blisters, which, breaking through, emit a whitish liquid. However, other symptoms are also characteristic of this type of disease. Tuberculosis affecting the urinary system is characterized by a feeling of discomfort and pain in the area of these organs. Genital swelling may be observed in men. In analyzes of biological material, an elevated content of white blood cells is detected. Urine excretion often occurs, accompanied by pain, blood impurities are visible in it.
Necessary examinations
Diagnosis of this infection is an important procedure, which, unfortunately, not everyone pays due attention to. Pathology is extremely dangerous, it leads to disability and even death. Therefore, if a person notices signs of tuberculosis in his early stages, he needs to seek help from a specialist.
Timely examination and therapy to avoid further progression of the disease and deplorable consequences. Diagnostic procedures include:
- Laboratory tests of biological material (blood, sputum, urine).
- The implementation of the Mantoux test, which reveals an immune response to bacteria that provoke the disease.
- Chest x-ray. It is prescribed as a medical event for people from fifteen years of age and older and allows you to determine if there are areas in the lungs affected by the infection.
Diagnosis of tuberculosis is recommended to the patient without fail, despite the fact that the symptoms of this pathology are largely similar to signs of other diseases.
Therapy
If the infection is severe, the person suffers from frequent bleeding, he needs to adhere to bed rest.
With an easier variant of the development of the disease, a person should refrain only from physical overload and emotional upheaval. The duration of therapy for tuberculosis involves the use of drugs that destroy microorganisms for six to eight months. In some cases, treatment may take a longer time. The duration of the course depends on the stage and type of pathology, the presence of complications.
In addition, it must be remembered that in a number of patients with a diagnosis of "tuberculosis" there is no improvement when taking medication, since the stick acquires resistance to these chemicals. Therefore, specialists prescribe more expensive and effective drugs to the patient. Therapy in this case is delayed for a long time.
Infection prevention
The main way to prevent this pathology is vaccination. The procedure is performed in childhood. The first vaccine is given to infants in the maternity hospital, and it contains weak microorganisms. After a while, the Mantoux reaction is carried out.
Toddlers usually tolerate a similar procedure.
For adults, it is recommended that you regularly examine your chest with x-rays. The fight against tuberculosis involves the implementation of such an event every twelve months. People who communicate with infected people, diabetics, people at high risk of pulmonary pathologies should pay special attention to this procedure.
The first signs of tuberculosis are a serious reason not only to seek qualified medical help, but also a good reason for changes in life and habits. First of all, it is necessary, if possible, to improve the conditions in which the patient lives, adhere to the rules of sanitation and hygiene. An important role is played by the rejection of harmful addictions. It is necessary to observe the correct diet, eat enough vegetables, berries, fruits, drink vitamins.