TB is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and other organs. Testing involves a skin test and X-ray to determine if the patient has active or latent TB. Both types are treated with antibiotics, but active TB requires regular checkups and tests. Latent TB is treated with a daily antibiotic for 6-9 months to prevent it from becoming active. Active TB is treated with several antibiotics for 6 months and requires regular exams and tests.
After testing positive for TB, a patient can expect a trip to the doctor for an X-ray and physical exam to confirm what type of TB they have. The two main types of tuberculosis are active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis. Both types will be treated via antibiotics, although the active type will also include regular checkups and tests.
Tuberculosis, commonly called TB, is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs. It can also affect the bones, spine, brain and kidneys. Its most common symptoms are fatigue and endless coughing. Other symptoms include weight loss, fever, chills and difficulty breathing.
Testing for tuberculosis is called the Mantoux tuberculin skin test. It involves injecting a small amount of purified tuberculin protein derivative (PPD) into a patient’s forearm. Approximately 48 to 72 hours later, a healthcare professional will be able to read your PPD skin test results. In a positive TB test, there will be a red, swollen circle at the injection site. The size of the circle depends on the health and age of the patient.
With a positive TB test, the next step is a chest X-ray and physical exam to determine what type of TB you have. Although there is a small chance of a false positive tuberculosis test, a chest X-ray would be the determining factor. The most likely reason for a false positive is a previous TB vaccine.
X-ray and examination will determine whether the patient has active tuberculosis or latent tuberculosis. In latent tuberculosis, also called tuberculosis infection, a person has been exposed to tuberculosis and the bacteria are present in his body, but he is neither sick nor contagious. In active tuberculosis, also called tuberculosis disease, the person has been exposed to the bacteria, they are present in the person’s body and cause symptoms. The person is also contagious. Only about 10 percent of people who have a positive tuberculosis test have active tuberculosis. Most healthy people can fight the infection.
If a patient has latent tuberculosis, he still needs to be treated so that he does not become active. Treatment is to take a daily antibiotic, known as isoniazid, for six to nine months. It is important that the patient takes the pill every day so that the disease does not become active and the bacteria do not become resistant to the antibiotic. During treatment, the patient may need regular checkups to make sure there are no adverse effects from the drug.
If a patient has active tuberculosis, they have to take several antibiotics for six months to fight the disease. Four drugs are commonly prescribed: isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. During treatment, the patient will also likely have regular exams and x-rays, as well as sputum and blood tests to check the progress of the disease.
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