Tuberculosis – causes, symptoms, and treatment

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that usually affects the lungs. It is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB is spread through the air from person to person. When a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets containing the bacteria are expelled into the air and can be breathed in by others nearby.


Most people who breathe in TB bacteria don’t get sick. However, if your immune system is weak or you have other health problems, the TB bacteria can start to multiply in your body and make you sick. Symptoms of active TB include coughing up blood, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away so you can be diagnosed and treated. 

Treatment for TB usually involves taking several antibiotics for several months to kill the TB bacteria. It’s important that you take all of your medications as prescribed and finish the entire course of treatment even if you start to feel better. If you stop taking your medication too soon, the remaining TB bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics and become much harder to treat. 

Conclusion: 

Tuberculosis is a serious infection that usually affects the lungs. It’s caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and it’s spread through the air from person to person. Most people who breathe in TB bacteria don’t get sick but if your immune system is weak or you have other health problems, the TB bacteria can start to multiply in your body and make you sick. Symptoms of active TB include coughing up blood, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away so you can be diagnosed and treated. Treatment for TB usually involves taking several antibiotics for several months to kill the TB bacteria. It’s important that you take all of your medications as prescribed and finish the entire course of treatment even if you start to feel better. If you stop taking your medication too soon, the remaining TB bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics and become much harder to treat.

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