Miliary tuberculosis is a slow-progressing infection that starts in the lungs and spreads to major organs, causing fever, cough, and fatigue. It can be fatal without treatment, but specialized antibiotics can aid recovery. Weakened immune systems increase susceptibility, and diagnosis involves physical exams, X-rays, and laboratory analysis. Treatment includes antibiotics, lifestyle changes, and additional medications or surgery for health problems caused by the infection. Most patients recover completely with treatment.
Miliary tuberculosis is a type of infection that starts in the lungs and spreads throughout the body, affecting many major organs. It progresses slowly and does not cause any initial symptoms. Over the course of weeks or months, an infected person develops fever, a chronic cough, and feelings of fatigue and weakness. Over time, miliary tuberculosis can cause serious infections of the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and pancreas. The condition can be fatal without treatment, but doctors can usually clear the infection and aid recovery by administering specialized antibiotics.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a highly contagious type of bacteria that is inhaled into the lungs. A healthy immune system can usually fight off bacteria, killing the infection before it causes any negative health problems. People who have weakened immune systems, however, are highly susceptible to the bacteria. Autoimmune disorders such as HIV and cancer, unsanitary living conditions, and malnutrition increase a person’s likelihood of contracting miliary tuberculosis.
The first action of the bacteria is to form small tumors on the inner lining of the lungs. Over time, the infection spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream, affecting lymph nodes, bone tissue, the heart, and other major organs. An individual with miliary tuberculosis gradually develops cough, fever, and chills. You may notice swollen lymph nodes in the abdomen, groin and neck. In cases where miliary tuberculosis is not treated, the liver, pancreas and spleen can become inflamed and swollen.
Careful diagnosis and medical treatment are essential to prevent permanent damage to internal organs, including the brain. A doctor can usually diagnose miliary tuberculosis by doing a thorough physical exam, taking an X-ray of the chest and lungs, and collecting blood and saliva samples for laboratory analysis. The presence of small tumors in the lungs and a low number of white blood cells are usually clear signs of tuberculosis.
If the disease is still in the early stages of progression, doctors can usually treat it by giving antibiotics by mouth and recommending lifestyle changes, such as getting plenty of exercise and eating a more nutritious diet. Patients are often asked to take antibiotics for several months to ensure the bacteria are completely eradicated from their systems. Treatment for health problems caused by miliary tuberculosis, such as decreased lung, liver, and spleen function, may require additional medications or surgery. With treatment, most TB patients experience a complete recovery of their symptoms.
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