Infectious Diseases - 4 Answers
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1 :
Once you get it you have it for the rest of your life.
2 :
Well, there are different stages of TB. Only 10% of those who actually inhale the TB bacteria actually develop active TB. For the other 90%, the body will "wall it off" which means that it will lie dormant in the lungs not causing an active infection. This, however, can change if the immune system becomes weak or the body becomes stress. If you do not develop active TB but rather "wall it off," you will still have a postive PPD test. For the other 10% who develop the active form of TB, a very rigid and long course of antibiotics are needed. (1.5-2 yrs). It is ESSENTIAL that the person taking these antibiotics follow the instructions from their doctor. If doses are missed or skipped, then the bacteria has the chance to grow and become resistant to the antibiotics. Stronger ones are needed to erradicate it. Lots of people do not follow their course of antibiotics because of the side effects and will not only see a worsening of their condition, but will infect others living near and around them. If the antibiotics are taken like prescribed, then the active TB will become latent TB (inactive). It will then act like the other TB which is "walled off." Once you inhale the bacteria, you will never truly get rid of it. It will just become dormant in the body. TB is HIGHLY contagious because it is spread through the air. There is a vaccine out there to help prevent TB but it's only given to certain patients who have a high risk of contamination. In fact, it's rarely given in the United States. It's the BCG vaccine. It only provides immunity for a limited amount of time and is not meant to be a routine vaccine. Hope this helps to answer your question.
3 :
TUBERCULOSIS IS CURABLE!!!!!! Especially in areas where it is non-endemic, where the resistance rate to the 1st line antituberculosis medications is lower. Diagnosis requires either a history consistent with tuberculosis (e.g. exposure to a TB patient, chronic cough, weight loss, night sweats and fever, back pains), CXR findings typical of tuberculosis (upper lungfield fibrohazy or fibronodular infiltrates), a positive tuberculin skin test, and a positive sputum smear for acid fast microorganisms (2 out of 3 morning specimens) or a positive sputum culture for acid fast bacilli. Assuming the patient has the symptoms and x-ray findings and 2 positive sputum exams, he can start TB treatment. In low risk areas, he can take 3 antiTB drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide) for 2 months and only the 1st 2 drugs for the next for months. In more extensive TB cases or in high-risk areas, he needs to take 4-5 drugs (the previously mentioned plus ethambutol +/- streptomycin injections) for the 1st 2 months then 3 drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol) for the next 4 months. all medications are taken before breakfast. the KEY to TB treatment is COMPLIANCE!!!! the meds should be taken without fail for the duration of the treatment period otherwise you run the risk of resistance. treatment for multidrug resistant TB is different. It is more expensive, less effective and takes longer to administer (at least 9 months after the time your sputum or any other TB specimen becomes negative from initially starting treatment). the BCG vaccine (bacillus Calmette-Guerin) does not protect you from getting TB. But it modifies the disease development by activating you immune system. It helps you avoid the more serious diseases related to TB like TB meningitis or disseminated TB infection. of course, treatment for TB in certain situations like for patients with AIDS (where TB is an associated disease) the treatment is different bottomline: TB is curable but you need to take the proper medications for the right duration.
4 :
It is a chronic infection but it is very curable. In some countries, newborns are given a BCG vaccine which prevents not the infection but prevents the progression of a TB infetion into something really serious. Screening tests for tuberculosis are: complete blood count to check if you do have a bacterial infection, chest xray to check if you have haziness and cavitations caused by the bacteria in the lungs, PPD which is a skin test that tells you if you are exposed to the infection and lastly and most importantly is the sputum exam where you submit samples of your (early morning)sputum for three consecutive days to the pathologist where the bacteria may be identified under the microscope. If you catch it early then the chances for cure is much greater. Medication will last until 6 months with 3-5 different kinds of medicines but your GP will taper of the amount of tablets as you go
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