Tuberculosis might sound like a disease from the past, but it’s still around and can affect anyone. It’s caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which mainly attacks the lungs but can hit other organs too.
If you’ve been coughing for weeks, feeling unusually tired, losing weight without trying, or getting night sweats, it could be more than a cold. Classic lung TB shows up with a persistent cough (sometimes spitting up blood), fever, and chest pain. When the infection spreads outside the lungs, symptoms depend on the organ involved – bone pain if the spine is hit, or headaches for brain involvement.
The first step is a simple skin test (the Mantoux) or a blood test that looks for TB‑specific antibodies. If those are positive, doctors usually order a chest X‑ray to see lung damage and may ask for sputum samples – you blow into a tube so the lab can check for the bacteria under a microscope.
Modern labs also use rapid molecular tests like GeneXpert, which not only confirms TB but tells if it’s resistant to common drugs. Knowing drug resistance early helps doctors pick the right medicines fast.
Standard TB treatment lasts six months and combines several antibiotics – usually isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. The first two months are intensive, then you continue with fewer drugs for the remaining four.
If you have drug‑resistant TB, the regimen gets longer (up to 20 months) and includes newer meds like bedaquiline or delamanid. It’s crucial to finish every dose; stopping early can cause a relapse and create more resistant strains.
The best defense is vaccination. The BCG shot, given in many countries at birth, reduces severe childhood TB but isn’t 100% protective for adults. Good ventilation in homes and workplaces cuts down airborne spread – open windows or use air filters if possible.
If you’ve been diagnosed, wear a mask until you’re no longer contagious (usually after two weeks of treatment). Also, make sure close contacts get tested; early detection stops the chain of infection.
Stay on schedule with your meds – use phone reminders or a pillbox. Eat balanced meals to support your immune system and stay hydrated. If side effects like nausea or skin rashes appear, talk to your doctor right away; they can adjust doses or switch drugs.
Regular follow‑up appointments let doctors monitor liver function and track progress with repeat sputum tests. Most people feel better after a few weeks and can return to normal activities, but keep up the treatment until it’s officially done.
TB may sound scary, but with early detection, proper medication, and simple prevention steps, you can beat it. Keep an eye on symptoms, get tested if you think you’re at risk, and don’t skip your meds – your health is worth it.
