What are the symptoms of Tuberculosis?
Most people who become infected with the bacteria that cause
tuberculosis actually do not present symptoms of the disease. However, when
symptoms are present, they include unexplained weight loss, tiredness,
fatigue,
shortness of breath, fever,
night sweats, chills, and a loss of appetite. Symptoms specific to the lungs
include coughing that lasts for 3 or more weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain,
and pain with breathing or coughing.
How is Tuberculosis diagnosed?
Tuberculosis diagnosis usually occurs after a combination of skin,
blood, and imaging tests. The most common diagnostic test is a simple skin test
called the Mantoux test. The Mantoux test is made up of a small amount of
purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin that is injected into the forearm.
After 48 to 72 hours, a doctor or nurse looks for a reaction at the injection
site. A hard, raised red bump usually indicates a positive test for TB. Blood
tests may also be used to determine if the TB is active or inactive, and
microscopic sputum analyses or cultures can find TB bacteria in the sputum. Chest
x-rays and computer tomography (CT) scans are also used to diagnose TB. If the
immune system traps the TB bacteria and creates scar tissue, this tissue and
the lymph nodes may harden like stone. This results in a rounded marble-like
scars that often appear on x-rays and CT scans. However, if these scars do not
show any evidence of calcium on an x-ray, they can be difficult to distinguish
from cancer
.
Although anyone can get infected with TB, some people are at a
higher risk, such as:
Those who live with others who have active TB infections.
Poor or homeless people
Foreign-born people who come from countries with TB being common
Older people, nursing home residents, and prison inmates
Alcoholics and intravenous drug users
Diabetics, cancer patients, and those with HIV/AIDS or other immune
system problems
Health-care workers
Workers in refugee camps or shelters
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