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5 Tuberculosis Myths You Need To Know About

One-third of the world’s population is thought to be infected with TB and with such a huge group of people, widespread Tuberculosis myths are only to be expected. Here’s the article to your rescue.

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Tuberculosis Myths 1: ”Tuberculosis (TB) only occurs lower socioeconomic groups.”

Fact: Tuberculosis can be contracted by anyone, although certain populations such as immigrants, people with reduced immunity, elderly, inmates, homeless, and others are at a greater risk. Individuals in contact with these people are also at risk.

Contrary to the popular myth that Tuberculosis is lifelong , tuberculosis can be easily cured with the right treatment. ATT(Anti tubercular therapy) is a highly effective way to treat this bacterial infection, which is infact available free of cost by Government of INDIA. The usual treatment for TB involves a combination of several antibiotics, which need to be taken consistently for a minimum of 6 months.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Tuberculosis myths 2: ”If I don’t have TB symptoms, I don’t have TB.”

Fact: A person can be infected with the TB bacteria for years without suffering any ill effects. Perhaps 90 percent of all TB infections remain asymptomatic, and any infected person can develop active TB disease with a weakening of their immune system.

Myth 3: ”I have been BCG vaccinated so I don’t need to worry about getting infected.”

Fact: The only commonly accepted benefit of BCG vaccination (a weakened live strain of cattle TB) is protection of children from serious forms of TB. Benefit in adults is highly controversial and many TB experts dispute any TB protection at all. It has never been an accepted vaccine in the U.S.

Despite adoption of universal BCG vaccination policies in many countries, a high incidence of TB still exists. Many BCG-vaccinated individuals in these countries incorrectly believe that they are immune to TB infection and disease. BCG commonly causes false-positive tuberculin skin test reactions.

Myth 4: ”I cannot take AntiRetroVirals and TB treatment together.”  

Fact: Everyone who is infected with HIV and has TB has to take ARVs. If you developed TB before starting your ARV medication, the TB treatment has to be started two weeks ahead of the ARVs. This gives your body the chance to first adjust to the TB drugs.  
Patients with undiagnosed TB, who are started on ARVs while they have TB, often develop a condition known as TB-IRIS during which the immune system overreacts to all the medication and the TB becomes worse. It is therefore very important that doctors and nurses screen  HIV patients properly for TB.

Myth 5:Presence of tuberculosis infection in the lung predisposes to the development of lung cancer.”

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While tuberculosis and other diseases of the lung can cause scarring of the lung tissue and predispose to lung cancer, there are several causes of lung cancer as listed below

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Understanding Tuberculosis – Causes & Symptoms

Tuberculosis or TB is an airborne disease, caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These bacteria are generally known to attack the lungs but if unchecked or untreated, they can spread to any part of the body like the kidney, spine or brain and in extreme cases, can also be fatal.

How does TB spread?

TB spreads from one person to another, when a person infected with TB coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings and people around him breathe in the bacteria that have been released in the air. Though TB is contagious, it is a little difficult to catch. People are seldom infected by an infected stranger. It is mostly got from a person you spend a considerable of time with. There is a common myth that TB can spread by – shaking hands – kissing – sharing toothbrush – toilet seats – sharing food Tuberculosis does NOT spread through any of these. The TB bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis can remain dormant in the human body without making the person sick. As a result, not everyone who is infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. Therefore, two TB- related conditions are prevalent: Latent TB infection and TB disease.

Latent TB Infection

Under normal health conditions, the human body is capable of fighting the bacteria and stop them from growing. In this condition, the person isn’t sick, doesn’t show any symptoms and isn’t contagious either. Whenever the immune system weakens or if the person is infected with aids, the bacteria in the body becomes active and starts multiplying. The person then is no longer under the latent TB infected category.

TB Disease

If the immune system can’t fight the bacteria, they become active and start multiplying in the body. The person becomes sick and shows symptoms of TB. It is not necessary that an infected person will be sick. Many people are TB infected for years and yet do not develop TB. While others do so immediately and some others are affected after years.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

– chest pain – cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks – loss of appetite – weight loss – fever – excessive sweating at night Today, new and more dangerous antibiotic-resistant strains of the disease are prevalent and have created a major public health crisis in a number of large cities worldwide. It is advised that you seek medical aid immediately if you have TB in an active or latent state.Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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