PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS
Pulmonary tuberculosis (also known as TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that attacks and destroys the lung tissue. With an early diagnosis, pulmonary tuberculosis can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Those with TB can infect others around them, causing an epidemic which, when left untreated can cause life-threatening complications such as permanent lung damage.
WHAT CAUSES PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS?
The bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is airborne and spread through the air by inhaling air exhaled by someone with tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is spread by coughing, sneezing or laughing and is an epidemic in areas where people are close to one another.
Although there isn't a cure for asthma, the symptoms can be managed to prevent severe asthma attacks and complications such as permanent tightening of airways.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS (TB)?
TB attacks the tissue of the lungs, causing those infected to experience symptoms such as:
- Coughing up phlegm
- Coughing up blood
- Constant fever
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Night Sweats
- Unexplained weight-loss
Even if these symptoms aren't present, there is a chance that tuberculosis could be in your system but be latent. Diagnostic tests will be able to help Dr Kenaope tell the difference between any other pulmonary condition and TB, even if latent.