People in the last stage of tuberculosis. What is tuberculosis? How is pulmonary tuberculosis transmitted?

There are few diseases in medicine that have such a large variety of forms and varieties as tuberculosis. Many organs are susceptible to attacks by the tuberculosis pathogen - the skin, intestines, bones of the skeleton, but the pulmonary variety of the disease is more "popular" and widespread. Affecting the human body, the infection passes a certain " life path”, consisting of several stages - penetrates, gains strength, spreads, capturing new territories, destroys and destroys healthy cells affected organs. How infection occurs, what causes the disease, what stages of pulmonary tuberculosis and other organs are observed, what precautions will help to avoid the penetration of a dangerous infection into the body - this is the article.

The disease arises from the penetration of special bacteria into the body, which received the name "Koch's wand" in medicine, after the name of the German scientist - microbiologist, who first identified the source of infection dangerous infection. Its other name is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT), it is the main causative agent of the disease. Bacilli are extremely tenacious, have a unique adaptability not only to the environment, but also to pharmacological preparations, they are not at all affected by the destructive external environment. In nature, the infection survives well in the introductory elements, air, soil, on household items - the tuberculosis pathogen retains its active form for several months. Tuberculosis, especially in the last stages, is treated for a long time, using an extensive list of medications, and surgical treatment is often required. Allocate 3 (with certain conditions- 4) phases, or stages of the disease.

Reasons for infection

Doctors name several probable causes as the main sources of tuberculosis infection, among which:

1. bad social conditions stay;
2. constantly deteriorating environment;
3. insufficient, depleted in vitamins, nutrition, as well as a violation of the balance of essential nutrients;
4. long stay in stressful situation, unstable psychological background;
5. bad habits (alcohol, smoking, drug addiction);
6. accompanying illnesses(gastrointestinal ulcer, diabetes, lung disease);
7. consumption of contaminated dairy products from sick animals.

Most probable causes tuberculosis infection are weak resistance of the body, as well as personal contact with a carrier of an open tuberculosis form. Constantly increasing in recent times the number of cases is an adequate response to the deterioration of social living conditions. An important reason is high price medicines especially if a long course of treatment is required. However, even very well-to-do citizens can be subjected to a tuberculosis attack, there are two reasons for this: irresponsibility and carelessness. The traditional hope for "maybe", generated by elementary medical illiteracy, leads to an annually increasing flow of requests for help only in the last stages of the disease.

How to recognize the disease: symptoms

The special insidiousness of the infection is its long “secret” presence without the slightest sign of an infection that has occurred. The beginning of the process (the moment of penetration of the tubercle bacillus into internal organs, the formation of latent tuberculosis) passes completely unnoticed by a person. The further spread of infection throughout the body is accompanied by changes in well-being, in addition, there are external symptoms that indicate the presence of the causative agent of tuberculosis in the body.

What should alert you in your own state? Particular attention should be paid to the appearance persistent cough, pain in the chest, fatigue, loss of appetite. Should also worry fast loss weight, the formation of small subcutaneous nodules on the lower leg, brownish / red. Medical workers it is recommended to consult a doctor in a timely manner if the body temperature is constantly elevated for several days, especially in the afternoon. It must not be forgotten that the appearance characteristic symptoms indicates the development of tuberculosis, this is an occasion for an urgent appeal to a specialist for examination.

Initial, hidden stage

The initial "invasion" of the infection goes completely unnoticed: the general condition does not inspire alarm. Often, the doctor misses the disease in the initial stage of tuberculosis development - the examination is not performed due to the absence of symptoms. There is no unambiguous opinion about timely diagnosis. Experts believe that detection of the virus is possible, but on the part of the patient, it is necessary to external signs disease or abnormalities in the tests.

Primary site of entry pathogenic bacteria- lungs. Then gradually the disease spreads to the lymph nodes, covering a larger area. The first stage does not pose a danger to others. The infection remains in a closed form, the body tries to cope with the resulting focus of inflammation on its own. If a person has strong immunity, the body successfully fights tuberculosis infection on its own.

Second, hidden stage

Most simple ways, by which the second is determined, latent stage tuberculosis - fluorography, passage tuberculin samples. Analyzes will show the destruction of the walls of the lungs or the changes in the structure preceding this. Damage pulmonary system at this stage, it is already noticeable in the analyzes, but the disease still has a closed form. In this state, the body can be long time. Active development bacteria occurs for several reasons:

• immunity is sharply reduced;
• are not favorable conditions life;
• the body is exposed to infection (up to the common cold).

The second stage is difficult to miss even without examinations, however, an increased cough, problems with the respiratory system, a decrease motor ability often mistaken for symptoms of other, less serious ailments. If you conduct a timely examination and detect tuberculosis in a latent stage, you can achieve a complete recovery easier, in a more short time. A feature of the second phase is its borderline state: the disease can either be completely cured or enter the third, active stage.

The third "stage" of the disease

In the third period of tuberculosis, the carrier of the disease becomes not only infected, but also a distributor of tuberculosis infection. This stage is not in vain called open - the disease goes on the offensive, affecting the healthy internal systems of the body. Especially bright signs has a pulmonary variety, the following changes in condition are observed:

• sputum leaves with a blood impurity;
• night sweats becomes especially strong;
• aggravated breathing problems;
• cough turns into a protracted form;
• body temperature is kept at elevated values ​​for a long time.

If tuberculosis is detected at this stage for the first time, the treatment process will be complex, long, with unpredictable results. However, with persistent treatment up to surgical intervention(removal of the lung) a cure is possible.

Last phase

Tuberculous disease in some cases has a relapsing form - after a successful cure, the disease can reappear. In this case, we can talk about the 4th degree of the disease, when it is especially difficult for the body to fight pathogenic bacilli. The condition of the patient of the fourth stage is constantly deteriorating, coughing fits turn into hemorrhage pain become permanent and pronounced. The result of the opposition of the immune system and the pathogenic effects of the second "coming" of tuberculosis can be very sad - even fatal.

Prevention measures

Any disease is easier to prevent than to spend a lot of time and money on getting rid of a debilitating illness. Before asking the question: how dangerous is tuberculosis, is it curable, what is the likelihood of re-infection, one must remember that neglect of own body cost a lot to a person. To save good health for many years it is recommended to observe certain precautions, firmly adhering to a few simple rules:

1. do not refuse vaccinations, especially if a predisposition to the disease has been identified (the vaccination schedule is specified by the doctor);
2. regularly undergo fluorographic examinations, if necessary - x-ray transillumination;
3. if there is a carrier of the open phase in a close environment, reduce contacts with him to a minimum, or completely stop personal communication (this is especially true for children, they are especially vulnerable due to weak immunity);
4. carefully observe personal hygiene, lead an active healthy lifestyle;
5. if there is an addiction to smoking, or alcohol abuse is observed, bad habits should be completely abandoned.

Once in the human body, the causative agent of tuberculosis may not manifest itself for a long time. But as soon as favorable conditions appear, it begins to actively multiply, causing the disease. Modern medicine distinguishes three stages of tuberculosis.

First stage

At this stage, the primary infection with tuberculosis infection occurs. A person may not suspect for a long time that he has become infected. In the place where the pathogen entered the body, a latent inflammatory process begins. Most often this occurs in the lungs, as the disease is usually spread by airborne droplets.

Symptoms

During this period, it is difficult to detect the disease on the basis of the clinical picture. Symptoms are fuzzy, blurred, similar to manifestations of other diseases. But there are several hallmarks, allowing to differentiate this disease:

• Subfebrile body temperature above 37 degrees. She constantly keeps at the same level for several weeks and does not go astray..
• Dry cough lasting more than three weeks.
• General state of depression Bad mood, prostration, fast fatiguability, apathy.

When one or more occurs similar symptoms the patient should consult a doctor and be tested for tuberculosis.

Causes

According to statistics, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is present in the body of every third person on earth. But not everyone gets sick. In order for the pathogen to begin to multiply, a person must have a weakened immune system. This happens in such cases:

• nervous stress;
• infectious or other disease;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• injuries, surgical operations;
• bad ecology;
• lack of sleep;
• excessive physical exercise;
• hypothermia.

Under the influence of these factors, the immune system fails. At this point, the bacteria find the weakest point in the body and begin their vigorous activity. If they are not stopped at this time, the disease will move into the next phase.

Diagnostics

The presence of tuberculosis in the body is determined by prescribing special tests and using fluorography of the lungs. The patient is prescribed the Mantoux reaction or Diaskintest.

Sputum analysis during this period may not give a result, because the patient has not yet isolated mycobacterium from the body, and it may not yet be in the sputum.

With fluorography, the lesion is clearly defined in the picture. This gives a reason to immediately begin treatment, until the process has spread.

Treatment

Today, pulmonary tuberculosis of the first stage is effectively treated. For this, at least three active anti-tuberculosis antibiotics are prescribed.

This is done because the causative agent of tuberculosis very quickly adapts and gets used to the drugs. And if you use only one drug, very soon the bacteria will stop responding to it. And if several drugs are taken in turn, this will not happen.

Treatment should be prescribed by a TB doctor. Rifampicin, Streptomycin, Isoniazid and Ethambutol are commonly used. If any of the drugs is not suitable for the patient, their substitutes are prescribed.

In no case should you interrupt treatment or stop taking medications until complete recovery. This leads to the addiction of the causative agent of tuberculosis to drugs, the appearance of relapses of the disease.

Second stage

In the second stage of pulmonary tuberculosis, the focus of the disease begins to grow and can capture neighboring organs. Most often, the heart suffers. During this period, the patient is also not yet contagious, but the disease is treated more difficult and longer.

Symptoms

In this phase of pulmonary tuberculosis, the symptoms are more pronounced and patients are more likely to sound the alarm and go to the doctor. These include the following signs:

• Body temperature does not fall below 38 degrees and constantly stays at the same level.
• When coughing, sputum begins to stand out actively and pain occurs.
• At night, the patient sweats profusely, wakes up covered in sweat.
• The patient's body weight begins to fall, despite the fact that the patient did not take any action for this.
• Appetite is lost, food becomes tasteless.

Such symptoms should not be ignored, it is necessary to urgently seek help from the clinic. Delay can cost lives, because tuberculosis is very dangerous disease and you can't joke with him.

Causes

This stage has one reason for the appearance. If the first degree was not found, it goes to the second.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic methods are the same as in the first stage. But the suspicion of tuberculosis infection already arises on the basis of the clinical picture. Weight loss should alert physicians and the patient should be referred for an appropriate examination.

Treatment

At this stage, tuberculosis is treated with the same drugs as for the primary infection. But medical measures take place over a longer period of time. If the first stage can be cured in six months, then the second stage can take a year or more. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the organism, the living conditions of the patient and his discipline.

If the patient does not follow the doctor's instructions correctly and take medicines regularly, then the third stage of tuberculosis will inevitably come.

In addition to taking the tuberculosis drugs Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol and Streptomycin, doctors prescribe vitamin therapy and drugs that increase immunity.

You should also pay attention to the heart. Being next to the affected lung, it suffers in the first place. In case of violation in his work, heart remedies are prescribed.

During treatment, the patient may be in the hospital or at home. It is good if he has the opportunity to visit a medical sanatorium to recuperate. The patient's regimen should be gentle. Physical activity is not allowed. Nutrition should be high-calorie, sleep long. Classes are welcome breathing exercises outdoors.

Third stage

This is the most dangerous and insidious stage. At improper treatment tuberculosis, the causative agent of the disease remains in the body. The patient considers himself cured and stops taking medication. And after a while the disease recurs and manifests itself with new force. Tuberculosis of the 3rd degree is very difficult to treat.

Symptoms

Signs of pulmonary tuberculosis at this time are well expressed and patients in 100% of cases seek help. They are:

• The most frightening symptom is hemoptysis. Blood streaks appear in the sputum, which indicates injury to the lung tissue under the action of bacteria.
• The patient experiences aching pain when inhaling.
• There is an acute shortage of air, shortness of breath.
• Develops heart failure, tachycardia.

At this time, the patient is contagious to others. It must be isolated to avoid the spread of infection. And the people who live with him, check for tuberculosis.

Causes

The recurrent form of tuberculosis occurs when the primary disease is not treated or the medication is not taken correctly. Also possible reinfection from another patient.

Ignoring the primary symptoms of tuberculosis and late contacting a doctor also leads to the third degree.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical picture and bacteriological examination of sputum. Fluorography in this case is done to determine the degree of damage to the respiratory organ.

Treatment

Features of the treatment of recurrent tuberculosis are the use of synthetic drugs, since the main anti-tuberculosis drugs do not help. Treatment is very long and not always effective. often ends surgical operation. Too neglected form leads to death.

Modern medicine is able to cure tuberculosis of any stage. But the patient's task is to prevent the development of the third degree of severity, when there is little chance. To do this, you need to regularly undergo examinations and conduct correct image life.

Tuberculosis - bacterial infection. The causative agent of tuberculosis is Koch's bacillus, transmitted by airborne droplets.

One patient during the day is able to infect about 20 healthy people. At the same time, personal contact is not necessary - infection is possible, for example, through dishes in catering establishments. Tuberculosis is resistant to cold, heat, moisture and light.
In street dust, on the pages of books, Koch's sticks can remain alive for up to 3 months. Carriers of tuberculosis can be insects (flies and cockroaches). In addition, infection can occur when eating meat and milk from sick animals.

The most common form of tuberculosis is pulmonary. People with a weakened immune system are most susceptible to it. If a person has strong immunity, then after infection he does not get sick immediately, but remains a carrier of tuberculosis bacillus. Can cause disease severe stress, malnutrition, excessive alcohol consumption. The disease is characterized by seasonality - tuberculosis is exacerbated in spring and autumn.
Tuberculosis stages:
1. Primary tuberculosis infection - local inflammation at the site of infection. Bacteria enter the nearest lymph nodes, and the formation of a primary tuberculosis complex occurs. Wherein general well-being satisfactory in most cases. Possible phenomena of asthenia (fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite); night sweats, dry skin may occur. Most often, the infectious process stops at this stage.
2. Latent (hidden) infection. With a decrease in immunity, the pathogen can spread in the body and the formation of tuberculosis foci in various organs (lungs, spleen, liver, brain, meninges, bones).
3. Recurrent adult-type tuberculosis - the defeat of various organs by tuberculosis infection. Most often, the lung tissue is affected with the formation of cavities (caverns), which can break through into the bronchi. In this case, the causative agent of the disease is released into the external environment ( open form tuberculosis).

According to the World Health Organization, every year 10 million people fall ill with tuberculosis in the world, of which 3 million die. Tuberculosis is a very common disease in Russia, with 205 TB patients per 100,000 population. You can call it an epidemic.

Types of tuberculosis

1. The main clinical forms of tuberculosis are:
A) tuberculosis intoxication in children and adolescents. Diagnosis of tuberculosis intoxication is based on the data of tuberculin tests and clinical signs diseases. It is characterized by the activity of tuberculosis infection and is accompanied by deterioration general condition child: temperature rises periodically, appetite decreases, increased nervous excitability is noted, peripheral lymph nodes increase, there is a lack of body weight;
B) respiratory tuberculosis.

The primary tuberculosis complex is characterized by the development of inflammatory changes in the lung tissue, damage to the intrathoracic lymph nodes. The clinical picture of the primary tuberculosis complex depends on the phase infectious process, features of the course and state of the body's immune system. The course of the disease may be asymptomatic. Characteristic changes in the lungs are detected radiographically. Distinguish between uncomplicated and complicated course: with a complicated one, an extensive infiltrate with a lesion is observed lung segment, bronchial lesions, transition to chronically current primary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis of the intrathoracic lymph nodes (ITLN) develops in children, adolescents and adults as a result of primary infection with tuberculosis. Distinguish between infiltrative, tumor-like and "small" variants of VLLU tuberculosis. They show symptoms of intoxication. Computed tomography is indicated for diagnosis.

Disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis It can be acute, sub-acute and chronic. In acute, if there is immunodeficiency, cavities may form in the lungs; subacute proceeds with symptoms of intoxication and the formation of foci in the lungs; in chronic cases, various organs and systems can be successively affected.

Miliary tuberculosis characterized acute course with damage to organs and systems. Manifested by severe intoxication.
Focal pulmonary tuberculosis characterized by the presence of a few foci located in a limited area of ​​​​one or both lungs. The course is asymptomatic. In the presence of fibrofocal changes on the radiograph, it is necessary to carefully examine the patient to exclude an active tuberculous process.

Infiltrative tuberculosis characterized by inflammatory changes in the lung tissue. Symptoms of the disease depend on the prevalence and severity of the process.

Cavernous tuberculosis characterized by the formation of a cavity, not accompanied by pronounced fibrotic changes.
Fibrocavernous tuberculosis differs in the presence of a fibrous cavity and fibrous changes in the lung tissue. The disease on the background of chemotherapy is relatively stable, exacerbation may be absent for several years. With a progressive nature, infections and various complications often occur.
Tuberculosis of the bronchi, trachea, upper respiratory tract occurs both as independent forms and in combination with other forms of respiratory tuberculosis;

C) tuberculosis of other organs and systems:
meninges and central nervous system (tuberculous meningitis);
intestines, peritoneum and mesenteric lymph nodes;
bones and joints;
urinary and genital organs;
skin and subcutaneous tissue;
peripheral lymph nodes;
eye;
other organs.

2. The characteristic of the tuberculous process is given on the basis of the localization of the tuberculous focus, clinical manifestations, radiological signs diseases. In addition, the presence or absence of tuberculosis bacteria in the diagnostic material obtained from the patient is taken into account.
Localization and prevalence of the tuberculous process: in the lungs - by lobes, segments, and in other organs - by the localization of the tuberculous lesion.
Phases:
infiltration, decay, seeding;
resorption, compaction, scarring, calcification.

Bacterioexcretion:
with the isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT+);
without isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT-).

3. Complications of tuberculosis:
Hemoptysis and pulmonary hemorrhage, spontaneous pneumothorax, pulmonary heart failure, atelectasis, fistulas, etc.

4. Residual changes after cured tuberculosis:
respiratory organs (fibrous, fibrofocal, bullous-dystrophic, calcifications in the lungs and lymph nodes, pleuropneumosclerosis, cirrhosis of the lung);
other organs (cicatricial processes in various organs, their consequences, etc.).

The main signs of tuberculosis:

1. drastic loss in weight - up to 5-10 kg and more.
2. Weakness, sweating (especially at night), decreased performance, loss of appetite.
3. It is possible to increase the temperature, more often in the evening, up to 37-38 ° C.
On the early stages symptoms of the disease practically do not appear: there are no complaints, no cough, no fever. With the further development of the disease, patients suffer severe pain in the chest and cough, and on late stages- hemoptysis. Prevention of tuberculosis: vaccination (mandatory for all newborns, but so far it does not give 100th protection against the disease); good nutrition(requires foods rich in protein, animal fats and vitamins); Fresh air(it is useful to breathe in the steppe or sea ​​air); to give up smoking ( bad habit increases the risk of death by 4 times).

Currently, tuberculosis infection is successfully treatable. For effective therapy great importance It has early detection diseases. Therefore, regular fluorographic examinations are so important.

Diagnostics

1. Mantoux reaction (test with tuberculin - a preparation containing killed Koch's sticks).
2. A sputum smear allows you to diagnose tuberculosis at an early stage.
3. X-ray examination - detection of tuberculosis in the later stages, when the decay of the lungs begins.
4. Sputum culture with the determination of the sensitivity of tuberculosis bacteria to antibacterial drugs.

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by tuberculosis microbacteria (Koch's bacillus). It is characterized by the development of specific granulomatous neoplasms in the tissues of various organs, a polymorphic clinical picture, as well as cellular allergies. The disease most often affects respiratory system. But there are cases when they suffer:

• peripheral lymphatic system;
• urinary system;
• kidneys;
• bone and joint tissues;
• digestive system;
• skin;
• eyes.

Let's take a look at the most common tuberculosis infections- lung.

Stages of development of tuberculosis

There are two stages of pulmonary tuberculosis:

• primary. It occurs in people whose body has been infected for the first time. As a rule, it is asymptomatic for many years. However, some small lumps can be seen on x-rays. This indicates the presence of foci of inflammation, in which pathogenic microorganisms "sleep";
• secondary. When a person, after a successful treatment of tuberculosis, becomes infected again.
• The secondary stage of the disease may be:
• infiltrative. When several inflammatory foci merge into one, forming a fairly large area;
• focal. When there is the formation of several foci of inflammation, which at the same time are productive;
• tuberculoma (caseoma). It is asymptomatic and is often discovered incidentally on examination. Predominantly affects strong and physically developed people;
• disseminated. When multiple foci of inflammation develop gradually, accompanied by distinct manifestations of intoxication;
• fibrous-cavernous. It is considered the most dangerous for the health and life of the patient;
• cavernous. It is characterized by the formation of isolated cavities in which decomposed lung tissue is located. Also in the cavities there is sputum with microbacteria. Most often it is a consequence of the development of other types of secondary stages of tuberculosis.

Forms of development of tuberculosis

There are two forms of tuberculosis - closed and open.

With a closed form, the infection is located within isolated infiltrates (foci of inflammation) and is not able to spread beyond it. Man in this case is not contagious, but only a carrier of the disease.

The open form of tuberculosis is transmitted by airborne droplets and is more dangerous. After the collapse of lung tissue, the infection begins to come out along with expectorant sputum.

Thus, we can conclude that the closed form is the primary stage of the disease, and the open form is the secondary one.

Reasons for the development of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs when a pathogen such as Koch's wand penetrates into the body. A feature of this microbacterium is the presence of a dense protective shell, which allows it to survive in rather harsh environmental conditions. This shell protects the microbe from the harmful effects of many medicines.
It is also worth noting that the peculiarity of tuberculosis microbacteria lies in their division rate - it occurs rather slowly. This makes it difficult to diagnose the disease.

What is the risk of getting infected?

Tuberculosis microbacteria entering the body healthy person, do not always cause the development of the disease. It all depends on the degree of individual susceptibility of the body to infectious agents, as well as on the state of the immune system.

The risk of contracting tuberculosis depends largely on the following factors:

• the duration and nature of the contact of a healthy person with an infected patient. The longer and closer it is carried out, the higher the risk of infection, respectively;
• age. According to statistics, people of young and adolescence most often fall ill with tuberculosis. Women become infected between the ages of 25 and 34;
• availability chronic diseases blood and hematopoietic organs;
• availability kidney failure(provided that the patient regularly undergoes hemodialysis procedures);
• the presence of malignant neoplasms in the upper respiratory tract;
• the degree of infection of the patient (in what form and at what stage is the disease). For example, the risk of infection increases several times if the upper Airways(larynx, trachea, bronchi), tuberculous cavities are present in the lungs, and the patient also suffers from an open form of the disease;
• the presence of a disease such as diabetes(when the patient needs the introduction of insulin);
• the presence of pathologies in which immunity is reduced. The record holder among such diseases is HIV infection. This disease contributes to the development of "active" tuberculosis. This is due to the fact that with HIV infection, the immune response is rather weak or completely absent.

The risk of infection also increases with prolonged exposure to poorly ventilated places with large crowds of people.

Who is at risk?

According to experts, real threat only people who have a largely suppressed immune response have a chance to become infected with tuberculosis:

• elderly people;
• children;
• HIV-infected;
• people who live in damp, poorly ventilated and heated buildings;
• people suffering from drug and/or alcohol addiction;
• people who systematically take steroid drugs;
• people who eat poorly and expose their body to frequent hypothermia.

How is tuberculosis transmitted?

pathogens this disease are thin, motionless rods (aerobes). They have the ability to reproduce both in macrophages and in the extracellular space. They are extremely resistant to various environmental influences. For example, they can maintain their viability:

• in the composition of street dust - about 10 days;
• on the surface of paper sheets (newspapers, books, etc.) - at least 2 months;
• in water - about 1 year;
• frozen - for many decades.

It should also be noted that during thermal exposure and ultraviolet irradiation causative agents of tuberculosis die within a few minutes.

Koch's wand can enter the body:

• by airborne dust. When pathogens are stored in dust and mold for quite a long time. A healthy person, when inhaling contaminated dust, becomes infected;
• food (alimentary) way. Tuberculosis pathogens enter the body through food - meat or milk, which were obtained from an infected animal. To avoid this, it is only necessary to subject the products to thorough heat treatment.

The routes of transmission of tuberculosis described above are less common, in contrast to Koch's bacillus entering the body by airborne droplets.

So, an infected person, when coughing, talking or sneezing, releases into environment pathogens that are in the composition of microscopic droplets. After a short time, the moisture evaporates, which leads to the formation of even smaller particles, which consist of 1-2 microbial cells. These cages do not succumb to gravity, that is, they do not settle on the floor or furniture. They keep floating in the air. A healthy person, inhaling this air, becomes infected.

Many people are interested in whether tuberculosis is sexually transmitted if one of the spouses (partners) has had it before or is currently infected. Such questions are related to the fact that tuberculosis can affect the tissues of the genital organs. But doctors are in a hurry to assure that this disease cannot be transmitted sexually. First, the pathogen must enter the respiratory or digestive organs. And then, through the general bloodstream of the body, into the tissues of the genital organs, causing their tuberculous lesions.

In addition, some fear that tuberculosis can be transmitted genetically, in other words, by inheritance. In this case, you should also not worry - the disease cannot be transmitted in this way. However, it is worth mentioning that a person can inherit from his parents only a high degree of sensitivity to tuberculosis pathogens. But if one of the parents has a high resistance to Koch's wand, the child may well inherit this indicator.

Tuberculosis symptoms

Due to the fact that the primary form of the disease is often asymptomatic, it is necessary to describe the manifestations of the secondary form of tuberculosis. So.
At the very beginning of development, the symptoms are mild and almost imperceptible. In the course of the development of the disease, it intensifies, becomes specific and distinct. Such manifestations include:

• shortness of breath
• respiratory failure;
• excessive sweating (mainly at night);
• prolonged cough. At first it is dry, after that it becomes wet. Then pus and blood appear in the expectorated sputum;
• loss of appetite and, accordingly, weight;
• pain in the area chest. The pain is aggravated by inhalation;
• fever, chills;
• general weakness.

In tuberculosis, the walls are often destroyed blood vessels lungs. As a result, pulmonary bleeding may begin.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis

People who have noticed a slight increase in body temperature general malaise and dry cough, do not immediately go to the doctor, believing that this is the case colds. But tuberculosis begins precisely with the presence of such symptoms. When, after treating a cold, the symptoms do not go away, but become more pronounced and change their character, patients usually turn to a therapist.

The doctor assesses the patient's condition at the time of treatment - measure the temperature, are interested in well-being. Then a survey is conducted, during which the patient answers a series of questions:

• what are its social conditions of existence. Perhaps the patient is a refugee, homeless or migrant;
• how much time has passed since the last fluorographic examination of the lungs and bronchi;
• Have you had tuberculosis before?
• whether he was in places of deprivation of liberty or whether he lived together with people who were serving time in the relevant institutions;
• whether there are relatives who are ill or have previously had tuberculosis;
• whether he is registered in a tuberculosis dispensary;
• had contact with people with tuberculosis;
• whether the patient was invited to go additional examination after undergoing fluoroscopy.

These questions help the doctor make a diagnosis and determine the severity of the disease.

After the interview, the doctor may prescribe the following tests to the patient:

• general blood clinic. A slight decrease in hemoglobin may indicate the development of a fibrous-cavernous form of pulmonary tuberculosis. And an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) will tell about the activity of the tuberculosis process;
• Mantoux test. During this diagnostic measure The patient is injected with a special drug called Tuberculin under the skin. After 3 days, an assessment is carried out allergic reaction body on the administered drug;
• laboratory examination of sputum. This method allows you to determine not only the presence of tuberculosis microbacteria in a patient, but also their quality indicators, as well as sensitivity to certain drugs;
• fluorography. It is carried out by photographing x-ray images from a fluorescent screen. Used in medicine to detect undercurrent tuberculosis and the presence of tumor neoplasms;
• radiography. Organ tissues are projected onto x-ray film. This method allows doctors to see more complete picture pathological changes in the lungs;
• fluoroscopy. The assessment of the condition of the lung tissues is carried out by a specialist during the procedure (at the moment when the patient's lungs are exposed to x-rays). Usually, this technique diagnosis is additional and is carried out in order to draw preliminary conclusions;
• tomography. This type of diagnostic measure is carried out using special devices, which is equipped with an x-ray machine. As a result, layer-by-layer images of the patient's lungs are obtained. Allows you to determine the clear boundaries and area of ​​tuberculous lesions, their topography, the depth of decay of lung tissues and the nature of the ongoing pathological processes.

Tuberculosis treatment

The success of tuberculosis treatment largely depends on the stage at which the disease was detected. Unfortunately, cases of detection of tuberculosis in the early stages of development are found in medical practice quite rare.

The main tasks that should be solved in the treatment of this disease are as follows:

• in recovery and functionality sick;
• in liquidation symptomatic manifestations diseases;
• in the regression of radiological manifestations, which include destruction, infiltrates, inflammatory foci;
• in suppressing the process of formation of secretions.

Doctors approach the treatment of tuberculosis in a complex manner. The therapy includes the following steps:

• collapse therapy;
• pharmacotherapy;
• pathogenetic therapy, as well as treatment of concomitant pathologies;
• surgery.

Each stage needs to be described in more detail.

1. Collapse therapy

Indications for collapsotherapy are:

• pulmonary bleeding;
• availability in lung tissues fresh elastic cavity without significant infiltrates (fibrous seals);
• lower lobe localization of the collapse of lung tissues.

This therapy is called artificial pneumothorax and is an introduction to pleural cavities special gas. As a result, the affected lungs of the patient are compressed, which leads to a decrease in elastic traction, partial or complete collapse of the decay cavities. Due to hemostasis, there is less dispersion of tuberculosis microbacteria, and the absorption of toxic agents is also minimized.

2. Pharmacotherapy

It is one of the leading methods of treating tuberculosis today. During such therapy, doctors use drugs that have a detrimental effect on tuberculosis microbacteria, and also have bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. These drugs include:

• thiamides;
• polypeptides;
• fluoroquinolones;
• aminoglycosides;
• rifamycins.

Table of the main drugs that are prescribed in the treatment of tuberculosis

3. Pathogenetic therapy

This therapy is syndromic in nature and is aimed at eliminating functional disorders which are caused by MBT toxins. During its implementation, it is necessary to adhere to the following principles:

• symptomatic treatment;
• medical nutrition;
• detoxification;
• compliance with the motor regime;
• immunomodulatory therapy;
• hormone therapy.

4. Surgical treatment

This method of treatment is used for tuberculosis:

• pleura;
• lungs;
• bronchi;
• bronchioles;
• intrathoracic lymph nodes.

Most often, surgical treatment is used in the presence of the following tuberculosis lesions:

• cirrhotic;
• polycavernous;
• solitary cavernous;
• tuberculomas.

Much less often this method of treatment is used if the patient has:

• caseous-necrotic lesions of the lymph nodes;
• caseous pneumonia;
• tuberculous empyema of the pleura.

To contraindications surgical treatment can be attributed to the presence in the patient of a vast area of ​​tissues affected by tuberculosis, as well as serious functional disorders in work:

• kidneys;
• liver;
• vascular beds;
• hearts;
• respiratory system.

In addition to the basic methods of treating tuberculosis, doctors recommend to patients:

• spend more time outdoors;
• visit sanatoriums located in coniferous forests;
• completely abandon the use of alcoholic beverages and smoking;
• take vitamin complexes;
• observe therapeutic diet.

How to treat tuberculosis with folk methods?

1. Treatment with the help of bears (tops)

These insects are pests because they eat the roots of plants. However, in the treatment of tuberculosis, they have proven themselves excellently. The fact is that the leukocytes that are part of the blood of the bear, penetrating into the body of an infected person, seem to “envelop” tuberculosis bacteria with themselves and completely dissolve them.

Of course, almost all leukocytes have such properties of "enveloping" bacteria, but only leukocytes of the bear have the ability to dissolve Koch's sticks. This effect is achieved due to the presence of an enzyme in the leukocytes of the bear - ferase, which is able to dissolve the wax shell of tuberculous microbacteria.

Take powder from dried bears in two stages. The first lasts for three days. The patient may gain weight, he will have an appetite and immunity will increase. After 10-15 days, the patient usually develops productive cough. Recovery can also occur after the first stage of treatment, but on condition that the disease is not advanced.

The second stage of treatment with powder from the bear should be carried out after 3 months.

2. Treatment with apples and nails

It is a rather “interesting” method of enriching the body of a tuberculosis patient with such an essential trace element as iron. To do this, take an apple, stick a few pre-washed building nails (5-7 pcs.) into it. Of course, it is desirable to use new nails. In this state, the apple should lie for a day. The nails are then removed and the apple is eaten. It is recommended to eat 2-3 pieces per day. such apples.

3. Treatment with wax moth

For the first time, the treatment with an extract from wax moth larvae was applied by the outstanding scientist I.I. Mechnikov. The enzymes of these larvae are capable of fast and efficient digestion of wax materials, including the wax shell of tuberculosis microbacteria.

Taking a drug made on the basis of enzymes of wax moth larvae does not provoke the development of any side effects. The drug is rich in magnesium, zinc, and also biologically active substances produced by bees.

This remedy is prepared as follows: 1 teaspoon of wax moth larvae is poured into 50 g of alcohol and infused in a dark place for 7 days. Adult patients take orally twice a day, 20 drops diluted with water. Children under 14 years of age are given medicine at the rate of 1 year of life - 1 drop. And from the age of 15, the dose prescribed for adults is taken.

4. Treatment with oats, bran and honey

A mixture of bran and oats, taken in equal proportions, pour water (100 g of the mixture requires 500 ml of water). Boil for about an hour on low heat. Then squeeze, strain through gauze or strainer. You can use a decoction instead of water. Before use, a little natural honey is added to the broth (to taste).

5. Treatment with walnuts, badger fat and honey

All components are taken in equal proportions. Nuts before use must be crushed with a coffee grinder, and natural honey and badger fat- melt down. Then all the ingredients are mixed. The resulting mass is used 4 times a day, 1 teaspoon. It is advisable to use it warm, but cold is also acceptable. Can be spread on bread.

Prevention of tuberculosis

1. Vaccination (BCG). As a rule, it is carried out on the 7th day of life for infants, children aged 7, 12 and 17 years, adults under 30 years of age who have a negative or doubtful result of the Mantoux test.
2. Annual fluorographic examination.
3. Raise protective functions organism.
4. Complete diet with enough fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins.
5. Exclusion of contact with people who are sick with tuberculosis.

In conclusion, it should be said that tuberculosis, although a "terrible" disease, is treatable, provided that it is detected in time, competent treatment is prescribed and all doctors' prescriptions are followed.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that can affect internal organs and bones. The progression of the disease is accompanied by an inflammatory process that provokes pathological changes tissue structures of the affected organ. Despite all the achievements modern medicine, and today this disease is one of the most difficult to treat. Most often, only stable remission can be achieved. Especially the treatment depends on the stage of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Under the stages of tuberculosis are meant the stages of progression of the disease. It is possible to determine what degree of development the disease has reached after a complete medical examination, testing and a mandatory X-ray examination.

The main stages of the development of tuberculosis:

1. The first degree - the infection has only penetrated into the body of a healthy person. At this stage, pathogens begin to multiply in the lungs, which causes the onset of the inflammatory process. Symptoms are more like a cold - cough, slight fever, weakness. It is important to know that it is impossible to get infected from a patient with the initial stage of pulmonary tuberculosis. Diagnose initial stage disease is almost impossible.
2. The second degree is the phase of the disease, called latent or latent. Among the signs of this stage, one can single out a suffocating cough, a stable but significant increase in temperature, and physical weakness. Mycobacteria multiply rather slowly, because the human immune system is constantly fighting them. AT rare cases if the patient has serious immunity disorders, pulmonary tuberculosis progresses very quickly. Tuberculosis at an early stage can be cured. Main condition - timely detection. Therefore, a person who notices anxiety symptoms, is obliged to immediately seek the advice of a specialist - such prudence will help him maintain health.
3. Third degree - at this stage, tuberculosis goes into an open form. Is a person with this disease contagious? Definitely yes. To the signs of tuberculosis in the early stages, an active discharge of sputum with blood, sweating (especially at night), and severe fatigue are added. Diagnosing a stage 3 disease is not a problem, but treating it is already much more difficult compared to the first two.
4. The fourth degree is the last stage of tuberculosis. feature this stage is that the patient falls ill again. That is, after the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, the patient undergoes therapy that brings results. But, after a certain period of time, the pathogen begins to multiply again in the body. Most often, not only the lungs, but also other organs are affected.

Classification of the disease

Tuberculosis of the lungs can be of two types:

• primary - pathogenic bacteria entered the body for the first time, and the disease began to develop in a healthy person;
• secondary - there was a re-infection, after treatment with primary infection.

Depending on the characteristics of the course of the disease, the following types of damage to organ tissues are distinguished:

• - there is a sharp increase connective tissue provoking severe violations respiratory function lungs;
• fibrous-focal - in the lungs there is only one focus of the inflammatory process. The immune system, fighting with the enemy, envelops him fibrous tissue, preventing the further development of the disease;
• necrotic - observed in patients with tuberculosis at the stage of decay. There is a death of the tissues of the affected organ;
• fibrous-cavernous - encapsulated foci of inflammation contain inside caseous (similar to cottage cheese) masses;
• caseous-pneumonic - a developing infection that affects the entire organ, due to which its inflammation is observed. Depending on the location of the foci, pneumonia can be one- or two-sided;
• - tissue death is observed inside the foci.

It should be understood that in the absence proper treatment the disease will develop very quickly, and milder forms of the disease can quickly turn into severe ones. If the patient does not comply with the prescriptions of doctors and does not adhere to the recommended lifestyle, tuberculosis can also affect other internal organs.

Features of the tuberculosis process

To understand how pulmonary tuberculosis develops, one should understand the mechanism of the development of the disease. The duration of the phases of the development of the disease depends on the general condition of the body, the correctness of the treatment and other related factors.

The following phases of the tuberculous process are distinguished:

• with primary infection, inflammation of the lungs begins, complicated by a lesion lymphatic vessels. Since in the vast majority of cases the diagnosis occurs later, against the background of the lack of treatment, lymph node damage is observed, accompanied by inflammation or necrosis;
• against the background of correct anti-tuberculosis treatment or with high protective properties of the body, a complete or temporary stop of the disease occurs. At the site of the foci there are connective tissue scars. If there is a lot of connective tissue, it prevents normal functioning body, in this case, an operation is necessary;
• in case of incomplete recovery, there will be a high risk of re-development of the disease. This is due to the fact that anti-tuberculosis drug therapy is aimed at destroying bacteria that are actively dividing and multiplying. But bacteria that have fallen into a dormant state can continue to retain the ability to live in the foci. Under certain conditions - a decrease in immunity, wrong image life, concomitant diseases - they are activated, and secondary pulmonary tuberculosis is triggered.

The success of treatment largely depends on how quickly the person reacted to the symptoms of the disease that appeared, and whether the therapy was chosen correctly. In some cases, the TB bacteria are so aggressive that none of the chosen treatments bring the desired results. Then we are talking on the development of disseminated tuberculosis, which is divided into three types:

• chronic disseminated - the lungs are severely affected, multiple foci of inflammation are observed, often against the background of tissue infection;
• hematogenous - tuberculosis bacteria penetrate the patient's blood, which can lead to the appearance of foci of inflammation in other internal organs;
• lymphogenous - against the background of the progression of the disease in the lungs, the lymph nodes are affected, and then the entire lymphatic system.

Signs of the development of the disease

The initial stage of tuberculosis responds well to treatment, so it is important to know what symptoms indicate the development of the disease:

• apathy, weakness, absence physical strength, a state of constant fatigue;
• sleep problems;
• heavy sweating at night;
• decreased or complete lack of appetite;
• weight loss for no apparent reason;
• unhealthy blush;
• a little fever body, not higher than 37.

It is these signs that are noted at stage 1 of the disease. When the disease enters the 2nd degree, the person suffers from:

• choking cough;
• shortness of breath;
• elevated body temperature;
• chest pain;
• pallor of the skin.

Additionally, the cough begins to be accompanied by a significant discharge of sputum, often with blood impurities.

Everyone can become infected with this disease - Koch's wand, which causes tuberculosis, is resistant to many factors. The disease is transmitted both by airborne droplets and by direct contact with the patient. Additionally, sources of infection can be products from infected animals or birds.

You should know that tuberculosis is transmitted exclusively from people who have an open form of the disease. The danger lies in the fact that under some circumstances the patient himself may not know about the transition of the disease from closed form openly.

Features of treatment depending on the stage

Tuberculosis treatment always takes place in a tuberculosis dispensary under the constant supervision of specialists. Goals of therapy - limitation inflammatory processes, the destruction of mycobacteria, the elimination of the consequences of the disease and the return of the patient to a full life.

Comprehensive therapy includes drug treatment, therapeutic diet, compliance bed rest. It should be understood that more than one month, or even a year, will pass before complete recovery. Therefore, a person who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis must be persistent.

The method of treatment and the list of the drug depend on the stage at which tuberculosis was detected. Therapy of the 4th degree is aimed simply at alleviating the patient's condition, it is no longer possible to overcome the disease.

Prevention

The most important preventive measure, allowing to stop the tuberculosis epidemic - BCG vaccination. The first dose is given to newborns, followed by revaccinations. Vaccination creates immunity to the disease, but is not a guarantee that it will be possible to avoid infection. Vaccinated patients usually become ill in mild form and heal fairly quickly.

Another important component of prevention is the annual passage of fluorography, for the possibility of rapid detection.

Strong immunity will not allow mycobacteria to take root and develop in the body, so it is important to eat right, play sports and give up bad habits.

Who said that it is impossible to cure tuberculosis?

If the treatment of doctors does not help to completely get rid of tuberculosis. I have to take more and more pills. Complications from antibiotics have joined tuberculosis, but there is no result. Find out how our readers beat tuberculosis...