Pulmonary tuberculosis, also known as TB, is a bacterial infection. It most commonly strikes the lungs, but can involve other organs as well. This bacterial culprit for which pulmonary tuberculosis is the cause of is the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Pulmonary tuberculosis is an airborne infection that can be transmitted through saliva, coughing, and sneezing. Although pulmonary tuberculosis can be treated successfully with antibiotics, it can lie dormant for a long time and then resurface.
The well-known symptoms of this infection are coughing with or without blood, fatigue, fever, weight loss, night sweats, wheezing, dyspnea, finger and/or toe clubbing, lymph node discomfort, and/or pains in the chest. Some people are at a higher risk for pulmonary tuberculosis than others are.
People with an immune deficiency, such as HIV, organ donor recipients, and those undergoing chemotherapy, the elderly and of course, infants pose an increased risk for contracting TB. These groups of individuals need to be especially cautious. In the United States alone there are, on the average, 10 instances of pulmonary tuberculosis for every 100,000 persons.
Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is achieved through chest x-rays, microscopic blood and sputum examination, and tuberculin testing, as well as other means of testing.
The treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis is very successful with the use of antibiotic therapy, as well as other types of medications. The medications that are used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis can cause the patient to have some undesirable side effects, which can include discoloration (orange or brown tinged) in the urine or the tears, rash, and/or vision changes.
The length of treatment time will vary according to each individual, but generally will take approximately 6 months with improvement of the infection noted in an approximate 3-week time span. Resistance to the TB infection will, of course, take longer. This infection, if left untreated or not treated in a timely fashion, can create lung damage. Admission to a hospital to confine the infection may or may not be necessary. This type of infection can cause an epidemic and must be reported to the local health department in your area.
It is important that you seek immediate help from a medical professional as soon as possible if you feel that you are at risk for contracting pulmonary tuberculosis. TB is a treatable infection, but a course of action should begin promptly.
Prevention of an outbreak of pulmonary tuberculosis is achieved by a vaccine, known as BCG, or bacille Calmette-Guérin. This vaccine may, as well, prevent tuberculosis meningitis in children. It, however, is risky in preventing tuberculosis itself. This vaccination is suggested in areas of high risk, such as in other countries. The use of this vaccination in the United States is not normally considered medically necessary.
RESOURCES
PubMed Health: Pulmonary Tuberculosis
University of Maryland Medical Center: Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Radiology: Pulmonary Tuberculosis
American Journal of Roentgenology: Pulmonary Tuberculosis