Tuberculosis (TB) is a very common infection in India that is also very contagious. When an infected person sneezes or coughs, air particles containing the TB bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) can easily spread from person to person. each infected person can infect up to another 10 people each year.  the symptoms and signs of TB can vary, depending on the organ(s) that is affected by the bacteria. TB most commonly nests in the lungs but can also affect the kidneys, bones and brain.

According to WHO, TB accounts for about 20% of the global TB cases. each year, about 2 million people in India develop TB, and  over 300,000 die because of it.

.Anyone can catch TB, especially if they are in a closed space with the affected person.  the unaffected person inhales droplets with bacteria and these bacteria reach the lungs.  here, the person’s immune system can fight against the bacteria.  If successful, the bacteria will remain in the lungs but will be “latent” (inactive and not causing any problems at the present).  If the immune system is not successful in containing the bacteria, then an active case of TB can develop.  Once the bacteria invade the body and overwhelm the immune response of the body, they can also find their way to various organs through the blood stream.

People with a latent TB infection don’t have any symptoms, don’t feel sick, cannot infect others but they have a positive skin test (Mantoux Test) since antibodies (defenses) to the bacteria were formed at the time of the initial infection.  Up to one-third of the world’s population is considered to have latent TB infections, as estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008.  Treating latent TB is important.  a latent infection can be activated, especially if your immune system is weakened for any reason, including nutritional deficiencies or infection with HIV.

In the case of an active infection, signs and symptoms vary according to the organ which is affected. When the lungs are infected, signs and symptoms of TB are:

1. A cough persisting for 2 to 3 weeks and beyond, which is usually worse in the mornings
2. Chest pain
3. Blood in the sputum (the mucus and saliva produced when coughing or clearing throat)
4. Breathlessness

Back pain may be caused by tuberculosis of the spine, and blood in the urine may be caused by tuberculosis in your kidneys.  TB in the brain can cause headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, vomiting, an altered mental state, seizures and other signs and symptoms related to the nerves.

In general, a person with active TB in any organ may have these signs and symptoms:

1. Weakness
2. Feeling tired
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Chills
6. Fever
7. Sweating in the nighttime while sleeping, even if the weather is cold

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, or has reason to think they have been exposed to TB then one should seek consultation from a healthcare worker and the public health authorities.  These healthcare workers will perform one of two tests: a test on the skin and one of the sputum (mucus produced when coughing).  for those people who have had the BCG vaccine against TB, which is mandatory at birth in India, may have a “positive” skin test despite not being infected with TB  the skin test will need to be re-examined two days after it is given.  If a sputum sample is provided, the results may take longer as they need to be sent for laboratory work.