tuberculosis in women. The first signs of pulmonary tuberculosis in a woman

Measures aimed at combating tuberculosis infection are not carried out by chance. More than a third of the world's population are already carriers of a latent form that does not show the characteristic first signs of tuberculosis. Penetrating, mainly, by airborne droplets, the inflammatory process is localized in the respiratory organs, spreads through the lymphatic and circulatory systems throughout the body. The epidemiological danger of the disease lies in the fact that the initial symptoms of tuberculosis often correspond in their signs to such diseases as SARS, FLU, bronchitis and pneumonia. And the process of infection not detected in time leads to the spread and growth of the disease. To date, the figures exceed 10.5 million people worldwide annually.

How tuberculosis manifests itself in the early stages

Resistant causative agents of tuberculosis infection, mycobacteria, have reached perfection in development. They are freely located inside healthy cells, are not detected by antibodies and continue their vital activity, like pathogenic microorganisms. During this time, they produce a sufficient amount of toxins and continue the process of active reproduction, but already inside the human body. In the early stages, the signs of tuberculosis are no different from a common cold infection:

a slight increase in temperature to 37.3 ° C - 37.5 ° C;
prolonged dry cough;
poor appetite;
apathy and weakness;
weight loss;
swollen lymph nodes;
profuse perspiration at night.

This is the characteristic clinical symptomatology of tuberculosis, which requires further careful diagnosis and medical laboratory examination. It is very important during this period to observe sanitary and hygienic standards, both for the intended carrier and his family until the diagnosis is clarified.

Tuberculosis of the lungs at an early stage

It is not only people who are in direct contact with a person infected with TB bacillus or who live near a TB facility that can expose themselves to infection. The viability of Koch's stick is quite high. In the surrounding humid environment and liquids, it lives up to several years, in a dry form it lasts up to 2 months. Therefore, any first signs of the disease that raise suspicion of the presence of tuberculosis in the body require immediate investigation.

The first and most important sign of the development of a serious infection in the lungs is a cough with sputum secretions, which in medicine is commonly called tracheobronchial secretions. It appears as a response of the immune system to foreign bodies or foreign microorganisms in the respiratory organs, contains leukocytes and pathogenic viruses or bacteria. If tuberculosis progresses rapidly, then symptoms such as coughing up sputum accompany the first signs of lung destruction in the form of bloody clots.

Patients experience shortness of breath. It is a consequence of a change in the natural blood circulation, a violation of the full functioning of the cardiovascular system, oxygen starvation and a lack of vitamins and nutrients in the body. Frequent and pain in the chest, there is a feeling of squeezing and burning.

Like any active inflammatory process, pulmonary tuberculosis is characterized by such first signs as a high temperature, which reaches 38 ° C - 38.5 ° C. The condition worsens in the morning and at night, which causes weakness, chronic fatigue syndrome, and drowsiness.

The first symptoms of tuberculosis of the bones

Being a complication of an already existing form of tuberculous damage to the body or a consequence of secondary infection, it has the same signs and symptoms that are found at an early stage of the onset of the disease. And, in some cases, it may take at least a year until true tuberculosis of the bones and the primary symptoms of the disease in adults appear in the form of articular or pain in the spine, numbness of the limbs or penetrating sensations in the lungs. Any physical activity will provoke fatigue, cause irritation and a painful feeling. And only in a calm state will a person be able to get relief and relaxation of the muscles.

Clear and easily diagnosable signs and symptoms of possible bone tuberculosis are observed in young children. They are characterized by lameness, unnatural for a child, clubfoot, fear of stepping on the foot and hurting themselves. The baby tries to carry out all movements on toes. Outdoor games are limited, physical activity is falling. There is a frequent change of mood and excessive nervousness, sleep disturbance.

What does skin tuberculosis look like?

Dermatological problems that arise in a patient make it possible to determine in time, the causes of which are most often rare walks in the fresh air, lack of ultraviolet solar exposure and problems of the endocrine and immune systems.

Signs that confirm the diagnosis of primary tuberculosis of the skin are expressed by painless papules of red or light brown color. After 3-5 weeks, they become inflamed, ulcers form in their place. Subsequent wound healing will be observed for about a month with the formation of a scar.

If an infection caused by mycobacterium is already present in the human body, then the localization of cutaneous tuberculosis covers the face, neck, auricles and even the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. Painless tubercles, which are filled with purulent contents and have a diameter of not more than 3 mm, cover the affected areas and cause ulcerative skin lesions. Sometimes they affect the limbs and are located symmetrically.

Signs of tuberculosis of the genitourinary system

Depending on what specific symptoms are manifested in tuberculosis of the genitourinary system, experts assess the scale and degree of the disease. If the mycobacterium affects the kidneys and urinary tract, the symptoms are expressed by pain in the lower back, excretory disorders and pain during urination, jumps in blood pressure.

With genital or genital tuberculosis, inflammatory processes occur that affect external organs in men. Redness is clearly expressed on the skin, ulcers appear on the scrotum and penis, pus or bloody clots with sperm are released. Women often experience pain in the lower abdomen, adhesive processes are formed, the structure of the endometrium and ovaries changes. In both cases, there is a high risk of appendicitis rupture.

Tuberculosis of the digestive system

The defeat of the digestive system by tuberculosis infection affects patients who already have a pulmonary form or become infected with mycobacteria while consuming low-quality dairy products. Symptoms of tuberculosis of the stomach correspond to a violation of its primary function of digesting food. Mycobacteria destroy the intestinal mucosa and microflora, the patient experiences belching with an unpleasant odor, vomiting, and no appetite.

The change in the work of the pancreas is characterized by girdle pain in the abdomen, constant thirst, profuse sweating, concomitant disorders such as diarrhea and fever, fever. The skin may become dark in color.

Necessarily accompanies the inflammatory process of the liver, which provokes symptoms, such as pronounced anorexia, pain in the right hypochondrium, near the navel, bloating. Diarrhea with blood impurities is often replaced by constipation. Often there are symptoms of acute appendicitis.

Eye damage in tuberculosis

An extrapulmonary pathology of the choroid of the eyeball or the result of an allergic reaction to a tuberculosis infection in the body is detected in the patient with an unusual "veil", dark spots or "flies" that appear before the eyes. Intraocular pressure also changes, which causes redness and rapid fatigue of the visual organ.

Sensitivity to bright light appears, the intensity of the work of the lacrimal glands increases, vision drops sharply. All these are the first signs and characteristic symptoms that eye tuberculosis provokes. Possible at an early stage and conjunctivitis. It happens with a rapidly progressive disease.

Tuberculosis of the central nervous system and meninges

Changes in permeability, necrosis of the walls of vessels affected by mycobacteria, contributes to the penetration of the infection. Mycobacteria through the circulatory system reach a favorable environment for further reproduction, the pia mater, where the subsequent inflammation of the brain will proceed until the occurrence of a life-threatening complication, such as tuberculous meningitis.

The course of tuberculosis infection in the central nervous region is accompanied by such primary symptoms as frequent migraines, fever, vomiting, and a complete lack of interest in the surrounding life. Possible partial hearing loss, unnatural behavior, memory loss and loss of coordination in space.

This process takes only 2-3 weeks. Rarely, there is a decrease in muscle tone, numbness or paralysis of the limbs at an early stage. The course of the disease is rapid, the onset of death is noted as early as 21 days from the moment the infection was detected.

Early diagnosis of tuberculosis

In order to carry out measures for the prevention and prevention of tuberculosis in medical institutions, a mandatory annual examination is prescribed. It is carried out in children after the first year of life, adolescents, adults and the elderly. Modern methods, such as tuberculin test and BCG vaccine, complete blood count and fluorography or X-ray, detect tuberculosis at an early stage.

Tuberculosis and its various symptoms cannot be detected in urine tests and defecation secretions, so they are rarely taken into account when diagnosing the disease. Any deviation from the norm during the examination indicates a possible infection. Further measures to combat tuberculosis will be carried out within the TB dispensary or an appropriate medical institution.

Tuberculosis is a disease of an infectious nature that does not know differences in sex, race and age. The symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis in women, men and children are very similar and, above all, should make the infected person seek urgent medical attention.

Who is at risk?

In a prosperous society, there is an opinion that tuberculosis is a disease that affects only drug addicts, persons with an undetermined residence and criminals. And those who belong to the “normal” category of citizens cannot get infected with it. In fact, as practice shows, pulmonary tuberculosis does not distinguish between victims by status, race or gender, and quite often such a diagnosis is made for quite successful people. This fact is explained very simply: the main route of transmission of Koch's bacillus is airborne, when an infected person spreads bacteria along with a cough.

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With strong immunity, the body itself can cope with the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis at an early stage, but with the slightest weakening of the infection, the infection develops at a rapid pace. The risk group includes the following categories of people:

elderly people;
chronic alcoholics and drug addicts;
patients diagnosed with HIV and diabetes mellitus;
patients after undergoing a course of chemotherapy and with the use of drugs that reduce the functioning of the immune system;
citizens living in places with poor environmental conditions.

Those who are in contact with the patient for a long time in a closed, poorly ventilated room are at particular risk.

An inside look at the problem

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by slow-growing bacteria that thrive in areas of the body that are rich in blood and oxygen. That is why the disease is most often based in the lungs.

From a medical point of view, the development of Koch's sticks is conditionally divided into two stages:

The latent form means that there are bacteria in the body, but immunity does not allow the disease to develop. In adults, symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis at an early stage most often do not appear.
The active phase occurs when the number of bacilli increases significantly and the first signs appear. It is people with a secondary form of tuberculosis who are carriers of the infection.

A feature of Koch's wand is that it is resistant to many drugs and environmental factors, so it can remain viable for many months and even years. The infection quickly reacts to the slightest fluctuation of immunity and begins to develop rapidly, then the first symptoms appear:

expectoration with mucus;
coughing up blood;
excessive sweating, especially at night;
loss of appetite;
shortness of breath, which only gets worse over time;
chronic fatigue and lethargy;
pallor of the skin;
sudden weight loss;
fever.

In rare cases, along with these symptoms, the following symptoms may occur:

difficulty breathing;
pain when inhaling in the chest;
headache and fainting.

The results of a diagnostic examination of patients with an acute form of tuberculosis largely depend on the location of the main localization of Koch's bacillus. In case of damage to the lungs, the following indicators will be visible on the x-ray and when tapping the chest:

abnormal breath sounds, especially in the upper lobes or involved areas;
wheezing and bronchial signs indicating consolidation of the lungs;
scarring of soft tissues and necrotic processes.

However, the absence of obvious physical signs does not exclude the presence of an active stage of pulmonary tuberculosis. Classical symptoms may be latent or manifest in a slightly different form in patients at high risk.

Treat - no mercy

The probability of meeting Koch's wand face to face is not so great - only about 5-10%. But if we translate the percentage into numbers, then these are tens of millions of infected people around the world. Tuberculosis is a very terrible disease that is difficult to treat and claims many more human lives than other infections combined. That is why it is important to remember the basic security measures:

undergo fluorography at least once a year;
ventilate the room as often as possible;
when talking with a person who is coughing, ask him to cover his mouth and nose with a handkerchief or do the same actions yourself;
during seasonal exacerbations of infectious diseases, wear gauze bandages.

When diagnosing Koch's bacillus, the patient is immediately hospitalized and the necessary preventive measures are taken. The course of treatment mainly depends on the individual characteristics of the body and is prescribed by the doctor based on several parameters at once: stage, test results, medical history. However, treatment always involves a combination of many drugs, usually up to 4 types.

After six months of intensive therapy, the first symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults disappear. However, medication continues for several more months. If the TB bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, it may take much longer to fully recover - usually a year or more.

The diagnosis sounds like a sentence for a prosperous person - the disease is considered to be social, common among people living in adverse conditions. Unfortunately, neither an adult nor a child is insured against cases of infection. The disease, detected at the initial stage, is cured, but you need to know its symptoms.

Symptoms of tuberculosis at an early stage

The causative agent of the infection is Koch's wand. The bacterium, transmitted by airborne droplets, affects a huge number of people. Not everyone gets infected: the reason for this is a well-functioning immune barrier that stops the infection, preventing it from developing. Initially, Koch's wand penetrates the respiratory system, then spreads through the body with blood, infects internal organs.

The peculiarity of an infectious disease is that if the immune system does not immediately destroy it, the pathogen lives for many years. The incubation period with a closed form lasts several years. Provoke the disease:

poor home conditions;
weakened immunity;
drug use;
poor nutrition;
stress;
smoking;
depression;
lack of fresh air;
chronic diseases of internal organs.

The infection is difficult to diagnose in the initial stages - there are no pronounced symptoms. When the acute form begins, it is easy to confuse them with the features of other diseases. You need to know how tuberculosis manifests itself - the symptoms, the first signs, in order to start treatment in a timely manner. Bacteria enter the lungs through the bronchi. They begin to multiply, causing inflammation. During the incubation period, it is difficult to suspect an infection - there is no cough. Early symptoms of tuberculosis appear:

loss of strength;
a sharp weight loss;
sweating during night sleep.

Signs of pulmonary tuberculosis in the early stages

When bacteria have all the conditions for reproduction, they initially infect lung tissue. Gradually enter the bloodstream and begin infection of the internal organs. The incubation period lasts up to two years, while the patient does not infect others. With provoking factors, the process is activated in the lungs, goes into an open form. What signs of tuberculosis appear during this period, what are their manifestations?

The main symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis at this stage are the appearance of a painful cough with sputum. It intensifies in the morning, has blood impurities. The following symptoms are expressed:

the appearance of pain behind the sternum, in the shoulders;
fast fatiguability;
irritability;
decrease in working capacity;
elevated temperature;
change of mood;
sweating during sleep;
dyspnea.

The first signs of tuberculosis of the gastrointestinal tract

Tuberculosis infection in the digestive tract often gets through household items, with food. The causative agent can provoke a disease of the liver, intestines or stomach. There are frequent situations when a patient suffers, having a pulmonary form and swallowing his own mucus. What symptoms of tuberculosis of the gastrointestinal tract indicate infection? They are similar to other diseases, so people with a pulmonary form are subject to mandatory examination. The first signs of infection of the digestive system:

bouts of pain;
constipation;
blood in the stool;
nausea;
fever;
sweating;
vomit;
weakness;
fatigue;
exhaustion.

How tuberculosis of the central nervous system manifests itself

Koch sticks enter the nervous system due to violations of the vascular barrier that protects it from harmful substances in the blood. The infection develops in the membranes of the brain, affects the spinal cord. Diseases affect adults and children. The first signs are easily confused with other diseases, because of this, inflammation is often neglected, which leads to a tragic outcome.

What are the most pronounced symptoms of CNS tuberculosis? The first signs of the disease include severe headaches. With the development of the inflammatory process, there are:

violations of coordination;
stiffness of the neck muscles;
seizures;
sleep disturbance;
disorientation in space;
blurred vision;
stool retention;
temperature rise;
photophobia.

The first symptoms of tuberculosis of bones and joints

This disease is predominantly found in adults. The spine, knee, hip joints are affected. Bacteria through the vessels, lymphatic pathways enter the tissues of the bones, causing an inflammatory process. Provoke infection:

excessive stress on the joints;
trauma;
poor nutrition;
unfavorable living conditions;
frequent infections;
hypothermia;
contacts with infected patients;
difficult working conditions.

At the initial stage, tuberculosis of the bones shows little symptoms. There is a disease with pain in the spine, joints, characteristic of arthrosis, osteochondrosis. The child has a fever, fatigue, loss of appetite. When an infectious disease develops, its first signs are:

increased pain;
constrained movements;
lameness;
clubfoot;
change in gait;
amyotrophy.

Symptoms of skin tuberculosis

This variant of the development of infection is rare - the skin creates a defense against bacteria. The disease affects women, children and adolescents. Infection occurs through wounds on the skin during contact with the patient, through blood poisoning. Often there are relapses of the disease. The first signs appear on the face, the region of the lymph nodes, on the buttocks. Distinguish skin tuberculosis symptoms:

cyanosis of integument;
tubercles, dense knots;
hard papules;
abscesses;
non-healing ulcers;
warty growths.

What are the signs of eye tuberculosis

This infection is very difficult to diagnose. Only a specialist can identify the first signs of eye tuberculosis disease. Incorrect and untimely diagnosis leads to loss of vision. First signs:

eye redness;
decreased visual acuity;
sharp pain;
increase in intracranial pressure;
the appearance of a veil before the eyes.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis

The doctor at the reception collects an anamnesis of the disease. The doctor must find out the likelihood of contact with carriers of the disease. An infection is detected by the first sign - coughing up blood. Modern methods of examination help to clarify the diagnosis. How is tuberculosis diagnosed in childhood? A child, starting from a year to seven years old, is given a Mantoux test - the antigen of the pathogen is injected subcutaneously. How to recognize tuberculosis? Diagnosis of infection is carried out visually: a reaction appears - swelling at the injection site.

How to detect tuberculosis? Mass primary diagnostics is carried out - regular checks of the population using fluorography. The definition of the disease occurs by darkening in the pictures. If tuberculosis is suspected:

sputum analysis under a microscope;
examination of blood, urine;
radiography of the respiratory system;
bronchial endoscopy;
spiral tomography of the lungs.

Video: signs of tuberculosis in a child

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The easiest way to get tuberculosis is by airborne droplets. Therefore, it is often difficult to suspect the tubercle bacillus as the cause of ailments. Contact with a sick person can occur on the bus, in the store, and even just on the street. Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis in women may not appear immediately.

And the longer the bacterium is in the body, the more destructive its effect. Signs of infection in women are specific. This helps to determine the presence of sticks in the body.

There are a number of symptoms that are common to both men and women. But specific signs can significantly disrupt the activity of the female body. Therefore, an immediate response to their manifestation is necessary. To do this, you need to contact a pulmonologist or phthisiatrician.

Signs of infection in women

Signs of pulmonary tuberculosis in the early stages in some women may appear immediately, in others not. Although the ingestion of the stick into the body manifests itself immediately, the symptoms may be mild. It depends on the immune system, the hormonal system and the presence of other diseases. With a strong immune system, it is usually difficult to immediately notice the effect of a bacterium on the body.

The main problem with the signs of tuberculosis is their similarity with the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, many infected are in no hurry to consult a specialist, which can bring irreversible consequences.

The main symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults are as follows:

poor health and general weakness;
elevated temperature;
loss of appetite;
problems with the respiratory system.

The nature of the manifestation of symptoms largely depends on the age of the woman. It is much more difficult for young girls to cope with the disease than for adult women. Therefore, it is important to know all the general and specific symptoms.

The first signs of the disease in women

First, all the general signs of infection appear. Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis at an early stage may appear in a different order, but the very first and most noticeable of them is fever. It reaches subfebrile values.

The problem is that a temperature like 37 cannot be brought down, since drugs can greatly lower it. Sometimes in the evening the temperature can reach 40 degrees.

Subfebrile temperature indicators can last for days. Also, an increase occurs with stress or stress, both physical and mental.

Cough accompanies the entire process of the development of the disease. The first signs of tuberculosis are a dry cough. Cough is observed throughout the day. Often interferes with sleep. When the disease has gained momentum, a cough with sputum appears. The sputum may contain pus or blood particles. Phlegm appears due to inflammatory processes.

Such processes disrupt gas exchange in the bronchi, which provokes a cough. But it is better to avoid the appearance of a wet cough. The first sputum is almost transparent, has an unpleasant odor.

The next stage is dark, thick sputum with particles of blood. At the last stage, the cough is accompanied by expectoration of blood with pus.

From the first day of infection, a woman feels a general weakness in the body. Feeling unwell is not a direct indicator of illness, but it is better to take the sign into account. Chronic fatigue manifests itself throughout the day, but is most felt in the morning. Following this, blood circulation is disturbed, which leads to blanching of the skin.

The fair sex has a strong loss of appetite. During the day, the patient feels mild nausea, which leads to reluctance to eat. Because of this, the woman begins to lose weight quickly. Such hunger leads to an increased effect of fatigue, and causes frequent dizziness.

Problems with the respiratory system can cause not only inconvenience, but also pain. Severe sharp pain may be felt in the chest area. It manifests itself after the inflammatory process in the bronchi. Also, even at rest, shortness of breath can be observed.

"Night" signs of infection

Due to the fact that the body is at rest before going to bed, some symptoms of tuberculosis in women may be more intense at night.

Toward evening the cough becomes more frequent. This applies to both dry and wet coughs. Without movement, the mucus in the bronchi stagnates and accumulates in large quantities.

The patient has a sleep disturbance, which is provoked by an increase in the expression of the symptom. There is also profuse sweating at night. But such sweating is not necessarily provoked by elevated temperature. By night, the temperature may subside, but sweating will be plentiful during sleep.

Specific Symptoms

A distinctive feature of pulmonary tuberculosis in women and girls is the failure of the menstrual cycle. Such a violation usually occurs in the early stages, which can also be a signal of infection. The disorder requires symptomatic treatment.

The action of the bacterium can also manifest itself on the cardiovascular system. The activity of Koch's wand causes tachycardia. Such a problem also requires symptomatic treatment after contacting a cardiologist.

There are also a number of signs that endanger the life of the patient. Such signs are usually not immediately noticeable, so it is extremely important to see a doctor in the early stages. The integrity of the skin may be compromised. Ulcerative formations can provide a lot of inconvenience and pain.

The activity of the wand affects the hormonal system of the female representatives. In addition to cycle failure, constant itching in the genital area can also be felt. This indicates that germ cells are exposed to the destructive effects of the disease.

One of the most dangerous manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis are asthma attacks. The first symptoms of tuberculosis are not necessarily accompanied by seizures, but they present a great danger to life.

Attacks can be protracted, and sometimes end up in the intensive care unit of the hospital.

Therefore, it is extremely important to contact a specialist in time for diagnosis.

Diagnosis at an early stage

Diagnosing the disease is not always easy. All signs are similar to the common cold, which causes neglect of the manifestations of the disease. The disease proceeds on an individual basis, which also makes it difficult to diagnose.

The most common diagnostic methods are as follows:

sputum analysis;
X-ray examination;
blood analysis.

Pulmonary tuberculosis can manifest itself in different ways, and the infection can be deeply hidden in the bronchi. Therefore, other, more accurate diagnostic methods are sometimes used.

Early diagnosis is important to avoid complications. Since it is not always easy to detect an infection in the early stages, a number of microbiological studies can be carried out, such as bronchoscopy, biopsy, and others.

Bronchoscopy helps to examine the lungs from the inside. This method is not difficult to detect bacteria. But sometimes this method may not be enough. Then they can analyze for PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

This method is not cheap, but it is able to detect the infection even at the earliest stages.

Completely non-specific.
Children and adults with a weakened immune system are most susceptible to infection.
Currently, the disease can be cured, but it is impossible to defeat it 100%. Modern drugs, developed on the basis of many tests, alleviate the patient's condition and lead to almost complete recovery.
However, today, tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases.
There are about 18 million patients in the world.

Therapist: Azaliya Solntseva ✓ Article checked by Dr.

How does tuberculosis manifest itself in the early stages? Symptoms usually develop gradually, ranging from weeks to months, and more acute disease may occur in young children or those who are immunocompromised. The clinical signs of the early stage of the disease are the typical triad that begins to manifest: fever, night sweats, and weight loss.

Each of these symptoms is present in 75%, 45% and 55% of patients, respectively, while persistent irregular cough is the most common occurrence (in 95% of patients).

It refers to unproductive or scanty sputum, which may be mucoid, mucous, or bloody. Other symptoms are chest pain or shortness of breath.

The results of a chest x-ray can be critical in initiating treatment in patients with negative sputum smear results.

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The first signs of the disease

What are the first signs of tuberculosis in the early stage? Primary infection is usually diagnosed only with the help of Mantoux and IGRA tests. In most cases, the pathology remains unrecognized because the symptoms are mild, nonspecific, and usually self-limiting.

The primary lesion usually resolves within weeks or months, leaving signs of fibrosis and calcification that show up on a chest x-ray. In general, the risk of disease progression after a primary infection is low, but it is higher in young children and immunocompromised patients.

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How to identify a disease

Diagnosis of latent disease is based on information obtained from the medical history, tuberculin skin test (TKT) and IGRA, chest x-ray, physical examination, and sputum examination.

The presence of the disease must be ruled out prior to initiating therapy, as this may lead to inadequate treatment and the development of drug resistance.

TKT is used to identify people infected with mycobacteria. If a person is affected, a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction kicks in 2 to 8 weeks after infection.

The liquid is administered intradermally using the Mantoux technique by injecting 0.1 ml of a purified protein derivative of tuberculosis antigen. Interpretation of reactions should be carried out within 48-72 hours after the procedure.

IGRA (interferon gamma assay) is also used to determine the presence of mycobacteria in the body by measuring the immune response to foreign tuberculosis proteins in whole blood. Samples are mixed with peptides that mimic antigens, then the results are interpreted.

A chest x-ray helps to differentiate between latent and active TB in people who test positive for the infection. The doctor with the help of various diagnostics will be able to determine the degree of damage to the body.

A sputum examination is indicated for people with positive test or imaging results.

How to diagnose and treat pathology

If pathology is detected, therapy should be started immediately. The sooner you start taking the prescribed drugs, the sooner a complete cure will come, the risk of developing an active form and complications will be minimal.

Treatment with isoniazid has 2 options: for six or nine months.

The second mode is preferred because it is more efficient. It is sometimes necessary to treat the disease within 6 months.

A 12-dose regimen (isoniazid and rifapentine) is recommended as a replacement for the standard daily course for 9 months. It is used to treat people aged 12 years and older who have recently been in contact with a patient with tuberculosis. The regimen can be used in healthy HIV-infected people who are not taking antiretroviral drugs.

Rifampin therapy for four months may be used in individuals with intolerance to the above medications. The doctor can diagnose the disease in various ways.

The main classification of the disease

Pathology is divided into five classes:

Exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, no clinical signs of infection. First class individuals have a history of contact but a negative reaction to the tuberculin skin test. If significant exposure is observed within 3 months, a 10-week skin test should be performed, and treatment of the latent disease should be considered in the interim, especially for children under 15 years of age and those with AIDS.
Latent infection, absence of disease. Individuals in class 2 have a positive tuberculin skin test, negative bacteriological tests, and no clinical, bacteriological, or radiographic evidence of active tuberculosis. Some people in this group are treated for latent TB infection.
Tuberculosis is not clinically active. This class is defined by a history of a previous episode of pathology, persistent abnormal radiological findings in a person with a positive tuberculin skin test, negative bacteriological tests, and no clinical and/or radiographic evidence of current disease.
Suspected tuberculosis. Individuals should be assigned to this class at the time of diagnosis, whether treatment was started or not. People cannot stay in this class for more than 3 months. When the diagnostic procedures are completed, the person should be assigned to one of the previous groups.
Includes all patients with an active process whose diagnostic procedures have been completed. To qualify for the group, a person must have clinical, bacteriological and/or radiographic evidence of current pathology. The patient remains in class 3 until the treatment of the current episode of the disease is completed.

Pathology form:

pulmonary;
pleural;
lymphatic;
osteoarticular;
urinary;
common (miliary);
meningeal;
peritoneal;
another.

Bacteriological status

negative;
not done.

Chest x-ray results

normal;
pathological.

Skin reaction to tuberculin:

positive;
negative.

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How are the signs of infiltrative tuberculosis manifested?

This is a clinical form of the patient's disease, in which accumulations of inflammatory exudate form in the lungs, with possible necrosis in the center of the focus. It can only be distinguished by radiographic features. In this case, the first signs completely coincide with the classical pulmonary type of pathology.

Cough is the most common manifestation. Initially, it may be unproductive, but as inflammation and tissue necrosis develops, copious sputum is produced. Hemoptysis sometimes occurs as a separate symptom of the disease, but is usually the result of a previous disease and may not indicate an active phase.

Bleeding may be caused by tuberculous bronchiectasis, rupture of a dilated vessel in the cavity wall (Rasmussen aneurysm), bacterial or fungal infection (especially Aspergillus mycete), or erosion in the airways (broncholithiasis). Inflammation of the lung parenchyma near the pleural surface can cause pleuritic pain. Shortness of breath is unusual, provided that an extensive focus does not develop, otherwise respiratory failure may occur.

On auscultation of bronchial breathing, wheezing or crackles are heard.

X-ray abnormalities in the chest are almost always diagnosed. In primary tuberculosis, this process is detected as an infiltrate of the middle or lower zone of the lung. Compression of the airways is manifested by enlarged lymph nodes and can cause atelectasis, which is more common in children.

Since the disease does not appear immediately, as it develops, the infected material spreads through the respiratory tract to other parts of the lungs, causing heterogeneous bronchopneumonia.

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How to detect extrapulmonary tuberculosis

The disease develops when the infection spreads to other organs and tissues. Manifestations are extremely diverse and often individual, depending on the sites that infect mycobacteria. More often than others, the lymph nodes, pleura, abdominal organs, bones and joints, spinal cord and brain and their membranes are affected.

Tuberculous lymphadenitis is the most common form of this type of pathology. Lymph nodes are the drainage stations of the lymph in the body. When the bacteria reach these tissues, the immune material launches an attack against the microorganisms.

This causes inflammation, swelling and is called a cold abscess. Sometimes the knot may burst and form a fistula. It can be so large that it can compress surrounding structures and cause problems because of this: breathing difficulties and stridor.

The brain and spinal cord have three layers of tissue called the meninges. Their inflammation leads to the development of meningitis. It can cause blockage of the small arteries of the brain, which leads to a decrease or cessation of blood supply and a possible stroke.

Tuberculosis bacteria can infect the meninges by spreading from the lungs through the blood. This often happens in immunocompromised patients. The doctor will be able to detect inflammation after examining the patient. Involvement of nervous system structures can cause a variety of symptoms, including headache, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, confusion, delirium, and seizures.

Mycobacteria are able to infect any bones and joints, but usually have a tendency to affect the spine.

This can lead to deformation and destruction of the bones or the formation of abscesses, which put pressure on the spinal cord with severe consequences. Involvement of the joints causes their swelling and tenderness, as well as impaired function and immobilization. It becomes difficult for the patient to maintain the usual posture and engage in daily activities.

Abdominal TB may be the result of direct culture or spread of mycobacterium through the blood from the lungs. They are able to affect any internal organ, including the intestines, liver, kidneys, spleen, urinary system. Each form of abdominal disease has its own set of symptoms and signs. Common signs include pain, malaise, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Miliary TB develops when germs spread throughout the body and is often fatal. It proceeds as a systemic infection, causing severe damage to organs and systems. Common manifestations include headaches, fever, anorexia, convulsions and paresis.

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Symptoms and forms in women

Depend on the part of the body that is affected by microorganisms. The illness usually develops slowly and it may take several weeks for it to become clear that you are unwell.

Symptoms may not appear until several months or even years after infection.

Sometimes the pathology does not cause any manifestations, so the specialist cannot correctly establish the incubation period. This condition is known as latent or latent tuberculosis.

Common symptoms of early TB in women include:

high temperature (fever);
sweating at night;
lack of appetite and weight loss:
fatigue or weakness.

However, these signs can have many different causes and are not always a manifestation of tuberculosis.

Most cases of pathology affect the lungs, which can cause:

persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks and usually produces sputum, sometimes bloody;
dyspnea with progression.

Less commonly, the pathology spreads beyond the respiratory system: to the lymph nodes, bones and joints, the digestive tract, bladder and reproductive system, as well as the brain and nervous system.

Symptoms may include:

pain in the abdomen and joints;
enlarged tonsils;
persistent migraines;
seizures (convulsions);
confusion;
loss of function of the affected bone.

Lesions to other parts of the body occur in people with a weakened immune system, such as the elderly and HIV-infected women.