Q. How does one acquire tuberculosis?
A. TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with TB of lungs cough, sneeze or spit, they release the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected. There are other uncommon modes of spread like ingestion of the organisms.
Q. Can TB occur only in the lungs?
A. No, TB can affect almost any organ of the body. Apart from lung TB, other sites/organs which are commonly affected are lymph nodes, pericardium, brain, spine, intestines, bones and joints etc.
Q. How can TB be prevented?
A. TB can be prevented by avoiding contact with the persons suffering from TB and wearing masks while in contact with the TB patients.A healthy lifestyle and diet and optimal Vitamin D levels may help but do not guarantee protection against TB.
Q. Which group of people is at high risk of TB?
A. Overcrowding and malnutrition are important risk factors. However, TB is not limited to any specific group or strata of the society. TB can affect anyone at any age.
Q. Is TB curable? How much time does it take for the treatment to work?
A. TB is 100% curable if optimal, weight -based treatment (AKT) is started on time. The duration of AKT varies from 6-20 months or even longer depending on the site of infection and the strain/nature of TB. Research for shorter duration of treatment for drug resistant TB is going on.
Q. What is drug-resistant TB? Is it deadly?
A. Drug-resistant TB is one which does not respond to the usual first-line drugs. Treatment comprises of higher category drugs, more number of medicines and longer duration. It is very important to be in regular follow-up with your doctor for optimal management. Overall cure rates in drug-resistant TB are less than sensitive TB but results are good if treatment is completed with good compliance. Expertise of a specialist doctor is must for treatment of such complicated cases.
