Once upon a time, tuberculosis was called ‘Rajarog’. In the past, this disease was more associated with poverty and undernutrition, but today people from different strata of society can be affected by TB. Even several well-known TV presenters have been reported to be suffering from tuberculosis in the past. But the disease can take up residence in the body silently at first. Therefore, it is very important not to ignore some chronic physical changes and seek timely medical advice.
How does TB affect the body?
Tuberculosis is basically an infectious bacterial disease, which mostly affects the lungs. But this infection can spread to other parts of the body also. Since the symptoms are relatively mild at the beginning of the disease, many people ignore the problem, thinking it is a common cold or weakness. But as the infection progresses, the symptoms can become more pronounced. Therefore, if there are any symptoms for a long time, it needs to be looked at with importance.
Prolonged cough can be a big warning
One of the most well-known symptoms of TB is chronic cough. If cough does not subside for a few weeks, the matter should not be ignored. In some cases, thick phlegm and blood may be seen along with cough. Apart from this, problems like chest pain, difficulty in breathing or feeling excessively tired while doing small daily tasks may also be seen. But these symptoms can also occur in many other diseases. Therefore, it is not possible to confirm TB just by looking at the symptoms.
Fever, night sweats and sudden weight loss?
Apart from lung problems, some other common symptoms may appear in the body of a person suffering from TB. Like-
having a fever for a long time
excessive sweating at night
unexplained weight loss
lose anger
always feeling weak or tired
Decreased overall performance of the body
If more than one such symptom is seen simultaneously, it is important to consult a doctor.
Other symptoms can also be seen outside the lungs
It is not that TB will be limited to the lungs only. If other parts of the body are affected, the symptoms may be different. Problems like swollen lymph glands, seeing blood in the urine, back pain if the spine is affected or severe headache and confusion if there is an infection in the brain cover can be seen. Symptoms can be more subtle in infants. Prolonged fever, disruption of normal physical growth or unusual irritable behavior can sometimes be warning signs.
Difference between latent TB and active TB
In the case of tuberculosis there is a distinction between latent and active infection. Latent TB usually has no symptoms and infected people usually do not infect others. But in some cases, if left untreated, it can later turn into active TB. On the other hand, symptoms may appear in active TB and there is a risk of spreading the infection through coughing or sneezing, especially from a person suffering from pulmonary TB.
When to consult a doctor?
If you notice symptoms like prolonged cough, frequent fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, blood with cough or shortness of breath, you should immediately consult a doctor. As per the need, the doctor can diagnose the cause of the disease through examination. It should be kept in mind that if any one of these symptoms is present, it is not right to assume that it is TB. It is possible to diagnose the disease through proper testing and doctor’s evaluation.
The idea that tuberculosis is only a disease of poor people is no longer true. People of any socio-economic level can get infected with this infection. Since the initial symptoms are not very obvious, it is often difficult to detect the disease. If symptoms like prolonged cough, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss or excessive fatigue appear, it is important to immediately consult a doctor.
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