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What, Why and How
TB, known as Tuberculosis, is becoming very common among people. It was known as ‘consumption’ in the 19th century but now it is diagnosed properly, thanks to the research. Tuberculosis can be extremely dangerous for health if not treated according to the instructions of doctor. The treatment however takes quite longer like 6-9 months to bring the health conditions back to normal only if the patient is regular and punctual in medication.
The infection can be like-threatening and there are several types of people who are at higher risk of developing TB. Those who were tested and resulted positive in TB had the following reasons which are righteous enough to believe!
People who stay in the company of a TB infected person develop infection.
People belonging from the countries where TB is common like Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Russia.
People with jobs involving dealing with TB infected patients like nursing homes and homeless shelters.
Other than this, there are people having pre-medicinal issues which are at a high risk of developing TB.
People containing HIV.
People who have been diagnosed with TB bacteria for the last 2 years.
Young children and babies.
People involved in injecting drugs, because they are at a TB.
People having weak immune systems due to suffering from other health disorders.
Elderly individuals.
People who are not fully treated with TB when they were diagnosed previously.
To be sure about the presence of bacteria in your body, you must get the tests done.
There are two types of tests:
TB skin test:
The test is not like simple tests, it happens in a totally different manner. First, you need to visit the doctor when they inject a small amount of tuberculin fluid into the skin on the lower portion of the arm. The patient next visits the doctor after 48-72 hours when the check the swelling around the injected area. If there is any increase, additional tests are done to determine the type of infection.
TB blood test:
Also called Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs). The test is carried out in a simple way. Blood samples are sent to the laboratory, especially of the patients who have taken TB vaccines or are unable to return for the second appointment involved in the skin test.
In case of any symptoms, you shall visit Family Urgent Care and get your treatment in the right hands!
