TB

It's no secret that the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused an unprecedented pandemic. One of the most alarming aspects of this virus is how it can cause respiratory illnesses—such as pneumonia and bronchitis—as well as extra-pulmonary (i.e., outside the lungs) symptoms. In this blog post, we'll look at the differences between pulmonary and extra-pulmonary symptoms of COVID-19 and why these distinctions are important. What Are Pulmonary Symptoms?   Pulmonary symptoms refer to those that affect the respiratory system, such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. These symptoms have been commonly associated with COVID-19 due to the virus’s ability to attack cells in the lungs; however, not all patients experience these more common pulmonary symptoms. What are Extra-Pulmonary Symptoms?   Extra-pulmonary symptoms refer to those that occur outside of the lungs or respiratory system. These could include headaches, dizziness, loss of

It's estimated that the disease Tuberculosis (TB) affects nearly 10 million people every year. TB is a preventable and curable infection, yet it remains one of the top 10 causes of death globally. However, there is hope — with access to accurate information, effective treatments, and support from local communities, we can take action against TB. Let’s discuss what that action looks like.  Tuberculosis Prevention & Treatment  The most effective way to stop the spread of TB is by preventing it from occurring in the first place. This starts with awareness — education about TB transmission and how it can be prevented is key. People should also be encouraged to seek treatment if they are showing symptoms or think they may have been exposed to someone with TB. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing further spread of the disease and providing a better outcome for those receiving care.  In addition to prevention and treatment efforts, we must also ensure that peop

Tuberculosis, or TB, is an airborne infectious disease that affects the lungs. It has been a major cause of illness and death for centuries, but it can be effectively treated with antibiotics. However, before treatment can begin, it is important to diagnose the right type of TB in order to ensure that the patient receives the best care possible. In this blog post, we will discuss the three types of presumptive TB: Pulmonary TB , extra-pulmonary TB, and pediatric TB.  Presumptive Pulmonary TB   Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is the most common form of TB. It typically affects the lungs and can cause symptoms such as coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss. A presumptive diagnosis of PTB is made when a patient has signs and symptoms consistent with PTB but has not yet had a positive test result for mycobacterium tuberculosis (the bacteria that causes TB). Treatment begins immediately upon diagnosis to help reduce further spread of infection.  Presumptiv

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that affects the lungs, but can also affect other organs in the body. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB is preventable and treatable, yet it remains one of the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide. Let’s take a closer look at the three different types of TB—microbiologically, clinically diagnosed, and miliary TB—to better understand this disease and its effects on the body.  Microbiologically Diagnosed TB  This type of TB is diagnosed through laboratory testing. This includes sputum tests for acid-fast bacilli (AFB), cultures to detect bacteria growth, as well as molecular testing using PCR or DNA sequencing to detect bacterial DNA. Microbiological tests are used to identify which strain of bacteria is causing the infection and whether or not it’s drug resistant.    Clinically Diagnosed TB   Clinically diagnosed TB means that the diagnosis was made based on clinical signs and symptoms rather than laboratory

Tuberculosis (TB) is a common infectious respiratory disease that is caused by bacteria. It can be spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Although there are treatments available for TB, it remains a serious global health issue. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the three main types of TB; DS TB , DR TB, and PMDT.  Drug-Sensitive Tuberculosis (DS TB): DS TB is the most common type of TB and it is also the most treatable form of the disease. This type of tuberculosis can be cured with a 6-month course of antibiotics. However, if the patient does not complete their treatment regimen they could become resistant to at least one drug in the antibiotic combination used to treat them.  Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR TB): DR TB is much more difficult to treat than DS TB because it is resistant to at least one antibiotic used in standard treatment regimens. Treatment for this type of tuberculosis usually requires an intensive 18-24 month regimen of multiple dr

Tuberculosis (also known as TB) is an infectious disease that affects the lungs. It is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although TB has existed for centuries, it continues to be a major public health concern in many parts of the world. In this post, we will discuss what TB is and how programs like the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) are helping to fight it.  What Is Tuberculosis?  Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that affects the lungs. It can be spread through contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from someone who has been infected with TB bacteria. Symptoms of TB include coughing up blood, chest pain, weight loss, night sweats, and fever. In most cases, treatment for TB involves taking antibiotics over a period of several months. If left untreated, however, TB can be fatal.  How Does NTEP Help Fight TB?  The National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) was created in 1998 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C