What does it mean to be a carrier of the tuberculosis bacillus? How long does the tuberculosis bacillus live? How to identify the disease in time

Tuberculosis is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind. And now the incidence rate of this disease is very high, so it is very important to know how to protect yourself from it, and what are the first symptoms of such an unpleasant disease.

Tuberculosis in Rus' was usually called consumption, since with the development of this disease a person actually began to “waste away.” And the term “tuberculosis” itself is of Latin origin - from the word “tuberculum”, which means tubercle. After all, tuberculosis granulomas are similar to the tubercles - foci of inflammation in such a disease.

Tuberculosis is an insidious and quite dangerous infectious disease, which is often characterized by a latent course. The reason for its development is a special mycobacterium tuberculosis. Most often, the disease affects the lungs, but the pathogen can also attack other organs and tissues.

The progression of tuberculosis leads to the development of an inflammatory process, but even in this case, people are in no hurry to see a doctor, mistaking the disease for a cold or the consequences of overwork. Because of this, precious time is lost and it becomes more difficult to recover.

The causative agent is Koch's bacillus

People suffered from tuberculosis many thousands of years ago; archaeologists have found bone machines with symptoms of tuberculous bone lesions dating back to 3000 BC. e. But for a long time, doctors could not understand which pathogens cause the development of such a disease. This discovery was made by the German doctor Robert Koch at the end of the 19th century. He was able to examine mycobacterium tuberculosis under a microscope, and in his honor it received the name “Koch bacillus.” Only thanks to this discovery it became clear exactly how tuberculosis spreads and how such a disease can be combated.

Microbiology

Mycobacterium tuberculosis looks like a thin, slender, short or long rod. Can be straight or curved. Such a pathogen is immobile, gram-positive and incapable of forming spores and capsules. Koch's bacillus is an aerobe (it requires free molecular oxygen to function), and is distinguished by:

• The content of a significant amount of lipids in the cell wall.
• Resistant to acids, as well as alkalis and alcohol. Treatment promotes the loss of acid resistance by mycobacteria.
• Difficult to paint with dyes.
• Resistant to drying and exposure to sunlight. The bacterium dies in diffuse sunlight only after 8-10 days, and when boiled, death occurs only after 5-7 minutes. Dried sputum can remain potentially infectious for many weeks.
• The ability to fragment into extremely small particles or, conversely, to combine into bizarre shapes, and then return to a normal form, potentially dangerous from the point of view of infection.
• Resistant to common disinfectants.
• High pathogenicity.
• Lack of movement organs. Mycobacteria do not have cilia or flagella; accordingly, they remain in the same place without moving.
• The ability to reproduce at temperatures from 29 to 42° C. The optimal temperature for the life of bacteria is close to the normal human body temperature - 37° C.

The human body, fortunately, has a fairly high natural resistance to tuberculosis pathogens. The likelihood of developing the disease directly depends on social and living conditions.

How is mycobacterium transmitted to humans?

Unfortunately, the risk of contracting tuberculosis today is quite high. You can encounter Koch bacilli almost everywhere - in any public place, and the risk of infection increases with the frequency of being in crowds of people (public transport, etc.). Mycobacterium tuberculosis can enter the body of a healthy individual:

• By airborne droplets. This is the most common method of transmission of pathogenic mycobacteria, because pathogens are actively released into the environment when the patient coughs. And as we have already said, even when the sputum dries, Koch’s bacillus is potentially dangerous.
• By contact. The causative agent of the disease can live for a long time on the patient’s personal belongings, wardrobe items, toys, towels, dishes, etc. You can become infected with tuberculosis during kissing, sexual intercourse, and also directly through blood (if there are wounds and scratches). There is a risk of infection from animals.
• By food. This type of infection is typical for residents of rural areas who are in no hurry to examine animal milk or meat in a veterinary laboratory. There is a risk of purchasing potentially dangerous products on the market. With foodborne transmission of Koch's bacillus, tuberculosis of the gastrointestinal tract can develop.
• In utero. If a pregnant woman has pulmonary tuberculosis, she will not necessarily pass the disease on to her fetus. However, the risk of a child becoming infected increases with particularly severe forms of the disease, as well as with the presence of additional health problems (for example, HIV).

Not every contact with Koch's bacillus leads to tuberculosis. The risk of developing the disease increases with weakened immunity against the background of addictions, chronic diseases, endocrine system diseases, insufficient nutrition, stress, pregnancy and unfavorable living conditions. People with nicotine addiction and a predisposition to respiratory system diseases are also at risk of pulmonary tuberculosis.

First signs in adults

Tuberculosis at the very beginning of its development is very similar to a common cold or chronic fatigue syndrome. With this illness, a person constantly feels weak, drowsy and tired. Appetite decreases, mood becomes depressed, and even minor stress significantly worsens well-being. Quite often the lymph nodes become enlarged.

In the evening, mild chills may occur. The activity of Koch's bacillus in the body makes night sleep restless; a typical symptom is the occurrence of sweating. Nightmares often plague me.

With tuberculosis in the initial stage of development, the temperature becomes elevated. Damage to the lungs makes itself felt by a dry paroxysmal cough, which especially often appears at night, and also occurs in the early morning.

It is quite difficult to recognize tuberculosis at the initial stage of development. The listed signs can appear almost simultaneously, but most often they are combined quite arbitrarily.

How does it manifest itself at an early stage?

Let's try to understand the typical symptoms of tuberculosis at an early stage of development in a little more detail. For such a disease it is most often typical:

• The appearance of changes in appearance. The activity of the Koch wand changes a person visually: the face becomes haggard and pale, the features become pointed, and the cheeks become sunken. Quite often, the disease gives the eyes an unhealthy shine and is accompanied by the appearance of an unnatural blush. In addition, pathological processes lead to weight loss. Of course, such symptoms at the initial stage of the disease are not very pronounced, but if you pay close attention to your own health, they can be noticed.
• Increase in temperature indicators. As we said above, fever is considered a fairly typical symptom of tuberculosis. Such a disturbance in well-being may appear very first - before other, more obvious signs of malaise. Most often, the thermometer readings are within the range of 37-37.5 ° C, but sometimes in the evening they rise higher - up to 38.5 ° C. Temperature fluctuations lead to chills and excessive sweating (it occurs as a protective reaction of the body, which tries to lower the temperature to physiologically normal levels).


• The appearance of a cough. It is this symptom that most often forces tuberculosis patients to seek medical help. Cough is a typical sign of lung damage, and with this diagnosis it occurs almost constantly. When the disease is at the initial stage of development, the cough is rare, dry and paroxysmal. It is perceived by patients as nervous; it is also often attributed to “smoker’s cough” or residual consequences of a previous illness. If tuberculosis continues to progress, granulomas in the lungs grow and form cavities, these processes are accompanied by the accumulation of exudate and the formation of a significant amount of sputum. The cough, accordingly, becomes wet. Coughing in this case leads to some relief.
• Painful sensations in the chest area. With the development of pulmonary tuberculosis, patients are often bothered by an incomprehensible pain localized under the ribs or behind the shoulder blades. The unpleasant sensations are not too pronounced and are comparable to minor discomfort; they appear intensely at the moment of taking a deep breath.

Doctors strongly recommend seeking medical help if you develop an unexplained cough that does not go away for three weeks or more. Of course, the appearance of blood when coughing requires an immediate visit to the clinic.

Diagnosis of tuberculous lung disease

Today, doctors use several methods for diagnosing tuberculosis. In particular, a Mantoux test is performed annually on children and adolescents by injecting a tuberculin solution subcutaneously. Based on the body's reaction, one can judge the presence of immunity to Koch's bacillus (after vaccination) or its absence, or an inadequate immune response, which may indicate a recent infection.

If you suspect the development of the disease, doctors usually recommend:

• Get a full X-ray of your lungs.
• Take a sputum culture (allows you to see the presence of mycobacteria and even determine their type, which in turn facilitates the selection of antibiotics and makes it possible to accurately select a treatment regimen).
• Conduct an enzyme immunoassay (donate blood). Such a study allows us to identify the presence of the tuberculosis pathogen in the body. It may be useful when it is necessary to diagnose rare extrapulmonary forms of the disease.

When a patient complains of cough, doctors strongly recommend conducting a bacteriological examination of sputum. This allows you to diagnose tuberculosis in a timely manner and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Experts understand tuberculosis as an infectious disease that is caused by tuberculosis bacilli (Koch bacilli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis), accompanied by the formation of granulomas in various organs and the development of cellular allergies. Most often, patients are diagnosed with tuberculosis of the lungs, joints, bones, skin and genitourinary organs. All these forms of tuberculosis require urgent treatment, since otherwise the disease progresses and leads to death.

The first serious studies of tuberculosis were carried out back in 1882 by Robert Koch. A German scientist studied tuberculosis, the symptoms of the disease, and the properties of pathogens. He proved the infectious nature of the disease and found out that tuberculosis bacilli are very tenacious. They are preserved in snow, in the ground, and thrive in low and high temperatures. This is partly why doctors experience enormous difficulties in treating tuberculosis and often cannot completely rid a person of this dangerous disease.

How is infection transmitted?

Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets, that is, you can become infected even without direct contact with the patient, but simply by being in the same room with him. In some cases, infection occurs through food and other objects that are contaminated with Koch bacilli. If tuberculosis pathogens enter the body with food, then tuberculosis in children and adults affects the gastrointestinal tract, and not the lungs, as happens when inhaling contaminated air.

Maximum caution should be exercised by people who frequently come into contact with patients and have increased susceptibility to the action of pathogens. Regular prevention of tuberculosis is necessary:

• schoolchildren, students and other persons who may be in constant close contact with infected people;
• prisoners and employees of penitentiary institutions;
• people who abuse drugs and alcohol;
• medical workers;
• patients with diabetes mellitus and HIV infection;
• people whose immune systems are weakened by a serious illness or long-term use of any potent drugs.

Forms of tuberculosis

Today, there are quite a few options for classifying this infection. Each of them is based on one or another characteristic feature of the development of tuberculosis. In our article we will introduce you to the classification, which is based on organs and systems affected by Koch's bacillus.

Pulmonary tuberculosis is an infectious process that develops directly in the human lungs. This form is the most common in modern society, since pathogens are easily transmitted to healthy people by airborne droplets. We also note that with the flow of blood and lymph, rods can penetrate into other organs and systems.

Intestinal tuberculosis is characterized by disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The intestinal walls and mesenteries are most susceptible to infection. The pathogen enters the body through contaminated food, for example, through frequent consumption of dairy products. The signs of intestinal tuberculosis are similar to the symptoms of many other pathologies, which negatively affects the timely making of the correct diagnosis and the time to begin treatment.

Tuberculosis of bones and joints is a fairly common form of infection that affects the vertebrae and tubular bones of the legs and thighs. As a rule, when diagnosing bone tuberculosis, treatment involves an integrated approach and a thorough examination of other organs. This is due to the fact that this form is usually a consequence of the spread of an infectious process from other parts of the body, for example, from the lungs.

Tuberculosis of the genitourinary system - the destructive effects of Koch bacilli are experienced by the bladder, ureters and kidneys. In the absence of adequate treatment, organs become deformed, which leads to numerous complications, difficulties with urine excretion and other serious pathologies.

In addition to the organs and systems described above, the tuberculosis bacillus can affect the prostate gland, testicles, fallopian tubes, meninges, nerve endings and skin. Please also note that all forms of tuberculosis are very dangerous, so if you suspect an infection, you should immediately consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination of the body.

Tuberculosis - symptoms and clinical picture of the disease

Since the most common form of infection today is pulmonary tuberculosis (diagnosed in 60-70% of cases), we will consider in detail the symptoms of tuberculosis of this particular type, especially since they are also characteristic of other types of the disease. So, patients exhibit the following signs of tuberculosis:

• a sharp decrease in body weight, pallor of the skin, a significant change in appearance;
• weakness, excessive fatigue, decreased performance;
• dry cough, which is especially severe at night and in the morning. As tuberculosis develops, the cough becomes wet and is accompanied by the discharge of sputum;
• increase in body temperature - usually the temperature does not rise to critical levels and stops at 37.5-38 degrees. Please note that when diagnosed with tuberculosis, symptoms are severe in the evenings or at night. This feature makes it possible to separate them from signs of other respiratory tract diseases, which are not accompanied by temperature fluctuations and are usually characterized by higher values ​​of this indicator.
• hemoptysis is one of the main symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis. In most cases, hemoptysis follows immediately after a coughing attack. A little blood is released, but the process itself is very dangerous, as it can at any time lead to the development of pulmonary hemorrhage and subsequent death.

Lesions of other organs are accompanied by signs that, at first glance, are indistinguishable from the symptoms of other common ailments, so it is pointless to consider them within the scope of this article. Let's just say that if there is any suspicion of tuberculosis, treatment should begin as quickly as possible. Its success depends on a timely diagnosis, and this is the best argument in favor of promptly consulting a doctor if discomfort and pain occur.

Tuberculosis in children

In childhood, tuberculosis develops somewhat differently than in adults. This is due to the child’s underdeveloped immune system. Tuberculosis progresses much faster and leads to the most tragic consequences. At risk are children who are poorly nourished, often overworked, live in unsanitary conditions and suffer from a lack of vitamins. Parents should pay special attention to fatigue, decreased attention, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Treatment of tuberculosis

If tuberculosis is detected in the early stages, it is almost always treatable. The course of therapy must be continuous, and during it several anti-tuberculosis drugs are used simultaneously. The patient takes 4-5 medications daily for at least 6 months. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to achieve the most effective results, because different active components have different effects on Koch’s bacillus, which makes it possible to destroy an extremely tenacious pathogen. The drugs of choice for tuberculosis are streptomycin, pyrazinamide, rimphapicin, isoniazid, ethambutol and others.

When treating tuberculosis, in addition to specific medications, patients are also prescribed general strengthening procedures - breathing exercises, immunotherapy, physiotherapy. When tuberculosis is diagnosed, treatment should be carried out only with the participation of an experienced specialist, since incorrect actions can lead to rapid progression of the disease and irreparable consequences.

Prevention of tuberculosis

Prevention of tuberculosis involves both the use of social factors and the implementation of specific work. The social component of effective tuberculosis prevention includes:

• improving the quality of life of the population;
• prevention of occupational lung diseases;
• improving the environmental situation in large cities;
• giving up fast food and switching to proper nutritious nutrition;
• combating drug addiction, alcoholism and smoking;
• expansion of the network of sanatorium and resort institutions.

Specific prevention of tuberculosis is based on vaccination of the population and regular fluorographic examinations. The latter make it possible to detect pulmonary tuberculosis in time and begin treatment in the early stages, which reduces the likelihood of death. More frequent examinations are used for persons who are in constant contact with sick people.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

It is considered one of the most common ailments on the planet in animals and humans. Koch's bacillus is the causative agent of this dangerous disease, which humanity has been fighting for several decades. Scientists and doctors are constantly inventing new drugs, but they cannot destroy the bacillus.

What bacteria does Koch's bacillus belong to?

Many people are interested in the question of which group of bacteria does Koch's bacillus belong to? It belongs to the genus of pathogenic mycobacteria (actinobacteria). Three types are considered the most dangerous for humans: bovine, intermediate and human. Microorganisms are found in the reticuloendothelial system of the body, have a dense outer shell and a large oblong shape, similar to a mushroom.

Koch's bacillus - the causative agent of tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is affected by Koch's bacillus and the number of its mycobacteria that express virulence. The bacilli enter the human body in early childhood, but the disease does not always manifest itself. Its development is strongly influenced by:

• hereditary predisposition;
• decline ;
• depressive state of a person and so on.

This bacillus, thanks to its powerful three-layer outer shell, is considered resistant, so it is not so easy to kill. It can live on the surface of clothing and objects for a couple of months. Disinfection of Koch's bacillus is carried out using chlorine-containing liquids (within 5 hours), hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet irradiation and direct sunlight (about 2 hours).

How long does Koch's wand live?

The bacterium has the unique ability to persist in an anaerobic, immobile state for several years. It easily tolerates heat and cold, excess moisture and drying. Answering the question: how long does Koch's wand live indoors? We can say that in a warm and wet place it will last up to 7 years. Under other conditions the bacillus is viable:

• in manure – 15 years;
• in books – 3 months;
• in soil – six months;
• in water – 5 months;
• in street dust – 2 months;
• in unprocessed milk – 2 weeks;
• in cheese and butter – 1 year.

How does Koch's wand die?

Applying preventive measures, many people ask the question: at what temperature does Koch’s bacillus die? This bacillus lives when the liquid is heated:

• up to 60°C – about an hour;
• at 70°C – up to 40 minutes;
• when boiling – up to 25 minutes.

Trying to protect themselves and loved ones from tuberculosis, people are interested in how the Koch bacillus spreads. It is transmitted by airborne droplets: when talking, sneezing, coughing. You can become infected with a dangerous bacteria through poorly processed food. In this case, children can also catch the bacillus, because patients do not know about their problem for a long time.

Out of a hundred infected people, about five get sick. The rest will continue to live peacefully if the body’s protective properties do not weaken. Koch's wand can begin to grow and develop rapidly in the following cases:

• with an unbalanced or unhealthy diet (canned food, food coloring);
• with drug and alcohol abuse;
• under unsuitable social and living conditions;
• when smoking;
• with chaotic use of antibiotics;
• for diseases such as AIDS, diabetes, ulcers, and so on.

Incubation period of Koch's bacillus

The time from the moment mycobacteria enter the body until the first symptoms appear is called the incubation period. This stage can last from 2 months to a year. Koch's bacillus, the causative agent of tuberculosis, first enters the respiratory tract and depends on the state of the immune system. Then there are several options:

1. In the body of a healthy person with a strong immune system, the bacillus dies, and the remains of the processed bacteria are released into the internal environment. The disease will not develop in this case.
2. In a weakened immune system, mycobacteria will not be destroyed. It, along with the blood, enters the lungs, intestines, kidneys, bones and the focus of the disease develops there.

After this, the incubation period ends and the person feels the first symptoms of the disease. This moment can be very difficult to determine, since the beginning of the development and growth of Koch’s bacillus is very similar in symptoms to a respiratory viral infection or intoxication. At the initial stage, no bacilli are released from the body into the environment. The Mantoux test at this time shows a negative result.

Koch's bacillus - symptoms

Tuberculosis can often occur without symptoms for a long time, and it is discovered after fluorography. The specialist notices changes or spots on the chest x-ray. Koch's bacillus causes the following initial symptoms in the human body:

• loss of appetite;
• worsening sleep;
• lethargy;
• sudden weight loss;
• increase in body temperature to 37.5 degrees;
• pale skin.

According to statistics, about one third of the entire population on the planet is infected with the Koch bacillus bacteria, but they cannot infect others. This is a closed form of tuberculosis and the likelihood that the disease will begin to develop is only 10%. At risk are:

• children from 2 to 3 years old;
• migrants and refugees;
• persons who are serving a sentence in a place of deprivation of liberty;
• people without a fixed place of residence.

In the later stages of tuberculosis, the open form, bacteria begin to actively develop in the body. This stage is very contagious and manifests itself as:

• shortness of breath;
• dizziness;
• cough, accompanied by sputum discharge and without it;
• chest pain at rest and when coughing;
• appearance in blood sputum.

Specialists must check whether a person’s body contains Koch’s bacillus, the bacterium that causes the disease. The main method of diagnosis is a comprehensive examination for:

• biochemical and clinical;
• microbiological and general urine tests;
• X-ray taken in 3 projections;
• microbiological examination of sputum and any secretions;
• linked immunosorbent assay;
• Mantoux or Pirquet test.

In some cases, in order to confirm or refute the diagnosis, additional examinations are performed:

• pleural puncture;
• biopsy;
• bronchoscopy;
• serological examination of sputum and blood;
• magnetic resonance or computed tomography.

The examination is first carried out by a therapist in a clinic, and then, if necessary, he refers to a TB dispensary to a pulmonologist or phthisiatrician. If a person is sick, then his tests will include:

• increased amount of ESR, more than 60 mm per hour, with the norm being 10;
• high number of leukocytes and changes in their shape;
• the ratio between segmented and band neutrophils changes;
• hemoglobin remains within normal limits.

Koch's wand - treatment

Mild forms of tuberculosis are treated with a special set of antibiotics. This is explained by the fact that Koch's wand very quickly adapts to medications and begins to resist them. During its life, mycobacteria can release toxic substances that have a negative effect on cellular and humoral immunity and poison organs and tissues in the human body.

Koch's bacillus is a disease that has been studied; in order to cope with it, patients are prescribed four main drugs and supplemented with auxiliary medications. For example, such a natural sorbent as Polysorb, with the help of silicon dioxide, binds together metabolic products in the body and helps remove them, and also enhances the effect of the main drugs.

The tuberculosis bacillus is the causative agent of an insidious disease that is often localized in the lungs. This variety of mycobacterium was discovered by the German scientist Robert Koch, so it was named in honor of the microbiologist.

The bacillus easily enters the body by airborne droplets and provokes pathogenic inflammation, which leads to the formation of tubercles or tuberculous granulomas. In the photo you can see the structure of Koch's bacillus - it is a straight, slightly curved mycobacterium. It can only be seen under a microscope; its size is measured in micrometers.

Tuberculosis is a dangerous disease that affects adults and children. For a long time, many people died from the disease, but modern medicine has available effective methods for diagnosing and treating tuberculosis.

Pathogenic mycobacteria belong to the genus Mycobacterium. Among the many species, 90% of people are affected by the human type of Koch bacillus.

It is characterized by the ability to take root in any living organism, causing pathogenic processes. It also multiplies intensively, affecting tissues and organs of the body.

In the photo you can see an oblong bacterium that resembles a mushroom. Translated from Greek, “miko” means mushroom; it is characterized by an outer shell, which makes it possible to remain motionless for a long time without air and light.

The bacillus is transmitted by airborne droplets when talking, coughing, or through household objects. The normal immune system is able to cope with infection on its own, but a large number of mycobacteria cause illness even in healthy individuals. A weakened immune system does not provide a protective reaction; the bacillus begins to multiply, causing abnormalities in the organs and tissues of the body.

The wand can remain motionless for a long time, and only under favorable conditions does it begin to act.

The incubation period of the disease lasts up to 12 weeks, during which weakness, a slight cough, and a slight rise in body temperature may be observed. Often a person is unaware of the insidious disease and mistakes the symptoms for a common cold. Without timely and adequate treatment, the disease becomes pulmonary.

The bacillus reproduces by division, the cycle is one day, and environmental factors play a significant role. Therefore, people with a low quality of life, former prisoners, people with diabetes, and HIV-infected people are more likely to suffer from tuberculosis.

Over hundreds of years, bacteria have developed resistance to external factors and adapt to any external environment:

• during boiling, the stick dies after fifteen minutes;
• it is resistant to low temperatures and is not afraid of frost;
• If the bacillus enters the external environment with sputum, a dark, dusty place, it retains its viability for three years.
• in manure the bacterium can live up to 15 years, in an aquatic environment - about a year;
• lives for two weeks in milk, three months in butter, up to a year in frozen meat;
• The wand also quickly develops resistance to medications.

The characteristics of mycobacteria indicate the danger of the disease; to prevent it, adults must regularly undergo fluorography and children must be vaccinated. Early diagnosis of the disease will allow the patient to be completely cured.

How can you become infected with the disease?

The infection can easily enter the body when communicating with a sick person. Tiny droplets of bacilli enter the air when coughing or sneezing. They remain suspended for a long period, then penetrate into the lungs of healthy people. An infected person can infect about 50 people per day.

In addition to the airborne route, the pathogen can be transmitted through food products of infected animals - meat, eggs, milk, cheese.

The likelihood of getting sick depends on the form of the patient’s disease and the duration of communication with him.

You can become infected from a person with active tuberculosis, especially when this patient is a relative and lives in the same family.

And also the danger is caused by a stuffy, dusty room without ventilation, where there are many people.

Penetrating into the body, the rod does not always cause disease. At risk are persons with reduced immunity and high sensitivity to the tuberculosis bacillus. A person’s age also plays a role: children and older people are more likely to become infected, women are more likely to get sick at the age of 26–35.

According to statistics, there are many patients among HIV-infected people; these people have weak immunity and do not have a protective reaction of the body. Therefore, such people need to regularly carry out the Mantoux test and use all preventive precautions.

The risk of the disease increases with chronic lung diseases, malignant tumors, blood poisoning, diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, and serious liver problems.

So, those at risk are:

• preschool children;
• people with HIV infection;
• former prisoners;
• people with a low standard of living who live in damp, stuffy rooms without wet cleaning or ventilation;
• persons who exhaust their bodies with constant diets and often suffer from hypothermia;
• medical workers at a tuberculosis clinic who have been caring for patients with active tuberculosis for a long time.

A newborn child can become infected from an infected mother when passing through the birth canal; while still in the womb, the child can become ill if the mother has chronic tuberculosis in combination with HIV infection. It is impossible to save such a baby; he has no immunity, so the disease is fatal.

Symptoms of the disease

Tuberculosis is an insidious disease that is difficult to distinguish from the common cold. The patient feels a general malaise, attributes everything to banal fatigue, he constantly wants to sleep, and is not in the mood.

In the evening, slight chills, increased sweating, temperature exceeding 38 degrees, and a barking cough, which worsens in the morning, are a concern.

Common symptoms of tuberculosis:

• The appearance changes, the person becomes pale, the face becomes sharper. The cheeks are sunken and an unhealthy blush appears. Appetite disappears, so the patient quickly loses weight, changes are especially noticeable in the chronic form of the disease. The characteristic appearance of patients can be seen in photos on the Internet.
• The temperature does not drop to more than 37 degrees throughout the month. In the evenings it rises to 38.6 degrees, there is chills, fever, and increased sweating. When the disease progresses, the temperature cannot be brought down with pills.
• A dry cough constantly bothers a person; in the first stages it brings discomfort. When granulomas grow, sputum is released from the lungs, and temporary relief is observed after coughing. But if the cough bothers you for more than three weeks without any apparent reason, it is important to contact a TB doctor. The doctor, after listening to the complaints, will prescribe an additional diagnostic test, which will allow the correct diagnosis to be established.

• Hemoptysis is observed in later stages of the disease and indicates infiltrative tuberculosis. To accurately diagnose the disease, it is important to exclude a malignant tumor in the lungs or heart failure. With these pathologies, hemoptysis is also observed. Tuberculosis is characterized by bleeding immediately after coughing up sputum. Bloody discharge in large quantities requires urgent hospitalization, the patient undergoes surgery to save his life.
• Pain in the chest is regarded as the first signs of a pathological abnormality. Pain bothers a person during an exacerbation of the disease or a chronic form; discomfort appears during a deep breath.

Such symptoms require urgent consultation with a doctor; after confirmation of the diagnosis, adequate treatment is prescribed.

In case of extrapulmonary pathology, the following signs are observed:

• Damage to the genitourinary system is expressed by pain when urinating, blood appears in the urine. Women experience bleeding between menstruation, pain in the lower abdomen, abnormalities lead to damage to the reproductive system and infertility. For diagnosis, it is necessary to take a urine test and treat with the same antibiotics as pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Tuberculosis of bones and joints is very rare and occurs in HIV-infected people. The bacillus destroys cartilage, intervertebral discs, the patient may limp, a hump appears on the back, and without timely treatment, complete immobility is observed. Such vivid symptoms allow a quick diagnosis.
• Mycobacteria lead to meningitis when the inflammation process affects the brain. In this case, pronounced symptoms are observed: headache, fainting, problems with hearing, vision, convulsions. Pathological deviation requires rapid intervention and often ends in death.

• Changes under the skin are easy to diagnose and can be treated with antibiotics. After scratching, the formations burst and a cheesy discharge appears.
• Damage to the digestive tract causes bloating, indigestion or constipation, bloody discharge in the stool, weight loss, and increased body temperature. A severe form leads to intestinal obstruction and internal hemorrhage, which requires surgical intervention.
• If mycobacteria enter the blood, they spread throughout the body, leading to miliary tuberculosis. In the photo you can see an x-ray of such a patient, it looks like he is strewn with millet. The spread of pathology requires long-term therapy, compliance with all recommendations of specialists.

But the most common is pulmonary tuberculosis, because they act as a gateway for infection. To prevent serious complications, it is necessary to use all preventive measures and take an adequate approach to treatment.

Methodology and scheme of therapy

It is very difficult to destroy the causative agent of the disease; modern methods are used to cure the patient; treatment requires long-term use of various medications. A patient can stay in an anti-tuberculosis dispensary for about a year, and then remain registered for two years. Treatment is prescribed individually to each patient after a diagnostic study. But there is a generally accepted method of influencing the pathogen.

The patient is necessarily prescribed chemotherapy - this is the use of several types of anti-tuberculosis drugs according to the recommended regimen. The treating doctor determines the amount of medications, taking into account the characteristics of the body, contraindications and unwanted reactions. The effectiveness of therapy depends on compliance with the doctor's recommendations. It is forbidden to skip taking medication, because mycobacteria will quickly develop resistance to chemical components, and therapy will not give a positive result.

After the antibacterial effect on the tuberculosis bacillus, additional procedures and immunomodulators are used.

During treatment, it is important to follow a special diet; nutrition should be complete and balanced, with daily intake of vitamins and beneficial microelements.

Without timely intervention by TB specialists, serious complications may occur:

• pulmonary hemorrhage, which often leads to death;
• pneumothorax, when air accumulates in the pleural cavity, the person begins to breathe heavily;
• severe damage to the lungs causes respiratory failure, leading to suffocation;
• heart failure.

In the photo you can see people with a severe form of tuberculosis, their appearance is greatly changed, the situation requires long-term treatment.

Life after tuberculosis

Long-term exposure of pathogenic organisms to chemicals causes many negative consequences. Of all organs, the liver suffers greatly, this leads to disruption of its functionality.

A weakened body needs proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, so you must adhere to the following recommendations from specialists:

• avoid depression and stress;
• It is prohibited to work in production with harmful chemicals;
• rest fully, get enough sleep;
• avoid physical activity;
• avoid cigarette smoke, direct sunlight;
• constantly walk in the fresh air, avoid crowds of people;
• carry out procedures for recovery, go on vacation.

A balanced diet will help you quickly gain strength and prevent re-infection. A specialist will help you choose the right diet so that a person consumes the right amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates every day, and we must not forget about vitamins.

For prevention, it is important to regularly undergo fluorography, vaccinate children, monitor hygiene, ventilate the room, and do wet cleaning.

Vaccination is carried out on the third day after birth, and the injection is repeated at seven years of age. Chemoprophylaxis will help prevent infection; it is used by people who are in contact with patients and people at risk.

The disease tuberculosis has been known to mankind under the name consumption since ancient times. The disease was first described by the physician Hippocrates, who believed that it was a genetic disease. Another ancient doctor, Avicenna, found that the disease can be transmitted from one person to another. In the 19th century, the German scientist Robert Koch proved the infectious nature of the disease by discovering a mycobacterium that caused the disease. The causative agent of the disease, Koch's bacillus, is named after its discoverer. The scientist received the Nobel Prize for his discovery.

Tuberculosis in our time is still one of the most common diseases in all countries of the world. According to WHO, many cases of tuberculosis infection are registered annually in the world - about 9 million. In Russia, 120,000 people become ill with tuberculosis every year. The mortality rate from infection in Russia is higher than in European countries.

So what is tuberculosis? How does a person become infected with tuberculosis, and is this disease always dangerous? What treatment is effective and can tuberculosis be completely cured? Let's look at these questions in detail.

What kind of disease is tuberculosis?

The causative agent of tuberculosis is mycobacterium (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Tuberculosis is an infectious disease. The most common route of transmission of tuberculosis is airborne. The tuberculosis bacillus is transmitted through contact during talking, sneezing, singing or coughing, as well as through household items. The immune system of a healthy person copes with the infection by destroying the Koch bacillus in the respiratory tract. Too massive an infection or frequent contact with a sick person can cause illness even in a healthy person. In people with a weakened immune system, its cells are not able to destroy mycobacteria.

The incubation period of pulmonary tuberculosis is from 3 to 12 weeks. Symptoms of the disease during the incubation period include a mild cough, weakness, and a slight increase in temperature. During this period, the disease is not contagious. However, the absence of pronounced symptoms of the incubation period explains why tuberculosis is dangerous for the infected person. After all, mild symptoms do not attract much attention; they can be mistaken for a respiratory disease. If the disease cannot be recognized at this stage, it becomes pulmonary. The main cause of tuberculosis is a low level of quality of life. Crowding of people contributes to the spread of the disease, especially in prisons. Decreased immunity or concomitant diabetes mellitus contributes to infection and its progression.

The first signs of tuberculosis

Signs of pulmonary tuberculosis in the early stages vary depending on the form, stage and localization of the process. In 88% of cases, the infection takes a pulmonary form.

Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis at an early stage of its development:

• cough with phlegm for 2–3 weeks;
• periodically elevated temperature up to 37.3 °C;
• night sweats;
• sudden weight loss;
• presence of blood in sputum;
• general weakness and loss of strength;
• chest pain.

The initial manifestations of tuberculosis infection can be mistaken for any other disease. It is in the initial stage that the patient is dangerous to others. If the patient does not consult a doctor in a timely manner, the tuberculosis infection will progress and spread in the body. That is why it is so important to undergo annual fluorography, which will promptly identify the source of the disease.

Forms of tuberculosis according to clinical course

There are primary and secondary tuberculosis. Primary develops as a result of infection with Koch's bacillus in an uninfected person. The process most often affects children and adolescents. The manifestation of the disease in old age means activation of tuberculosis of the lymph nodes suffered in childhood.

In children, tuberculosis occurs in the form of the primary tuberculosis complex. In infancy, the process affects a lobe or even a segment of the lung. Symptoms of pneumonia include cough, fever up to 40.0 °C and chest pain. In older children, the lesions in the lung are not so extensive. The disease in the lungs is characterized by enlargement of the cervical and axillary lymph nodes.

The primary complex consists of 4 stages of disease development.

1. Stage I - pneumonic form. X-ray shows a small lesion in the lung, enlarged lymph nodes in the root of the lung.
2. Stage II of resorption. During this period, the inflammatory infiltrate in the lungs and lymph nodes decreases.
3. The next stage is stage III, it is manifested by compaction of residual foci in the lung tissue and lymph nodes. In these places, the X-ray image shows small pinpoint pockets of lime deposits.
4. In stage IV, calcification of the former infiltrate occurs in the pulmonary and lymphatic tissue. Such calcified areas are called Ghon lesions and are detected by fluorography.

The primary tuberculosis process in children and adults often occurs in a chronic form. In this case, the active process in the lungs and lymph nodes persists for many years. This course of the disease is considered chronic tuberculosis.

Open and closed forms of tuberculosis infection

Open form of tuberculosis - what is it and how does it spread? Tuberculosis is considered to be in open form if the patient secretes mycobacteria in saliva, sputum, or secretions from other organs. Isolation of bacteria is detected by culture or microscopy of the patient's secretions. Bacteria spread through the air very quickly. When talking, the infection with saliva particles spreads over a distance of 70 cm, and when coughing it reaches up to 3 meters. The risk of infection is especially high for children and people with reduced immunity. The term “open form” is more often used in relation to patients with the pulmonary form of the disease. But the release of bacteria also occurs during an active tuberculosis process in the lymph nodes, genitourinary system and other organs.

Symptoms of open tuberculosis:

• dry cough for more than 3 weeks;
• pain in the side;
• hemoptysis;
• causeless weight loss;
• enlarged lymph nodes.

A patient in open form is dangerous to everyone around him. Knowing how easily open tuberculosis is transmitted, in case of prolonged and close contact with a patient, you need to undergo examination.

If the bacteriological method does not detect bacteria, this is a closed form of the disease. Closed form of tuberculosis - how dangerous is it? The fact is that laboratory methods do not always detect Koch's bacillus; this is due to the slow growth of mycobacteria in the culture for sowing. This means that a patient who has no bacteria detected can practically excrete them.

Is it possible to become infected with tuberculosis from a patient with a closed form? With close and constant contact with a sick person, in 30 cases out of 100 you can become infected. In a patient with a closed form, the process in the lungs or any other organ can be activated at any time. The moment the process transitions into an open form is initially asymptomatic and is dangerous for others. In this case, closed-form tuberculosis is transmitted, like open tuberculosis, through direct contact during communication and through household items. Symptoms of the closed form of tuberculosis are practically absent. Patients with a closed form do not even feel unwell.

Types of pulmonary tuberculosis

Based on the degree of spread of tuberculosis, several clinical forms of the disease are distinguished.

Disseminated tuberculosis

Disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis is a manifestation of primary tuberculosis. It is characterized by the development of multiple lesions in the lungs. The infection in this form spreads either through the bloodstream or through the lymphatic vessels and bronchi. Most often, mycobacteria begin to spread hematogenously from the mediastinal lymph nodes to other organs. The infection settles in the spleen, liver, meninges, and bones. In this case, an acute disseminated tuberculosis process develops.

The disease is manifested by high fever, severe weakness, headache, and general serious condition. Sometimes disseminated tuberculosis occurs in a chronic form, then sequential damage to other organs occurs.

The spread of infection through the lymphatic tract occurs from the bronchial lymph nodes to the lungs. With a bilateral tuberculosis process in the lungs, shortness of breath, cyanosis, and cough with sputum appear. After a prolonged course, the disease is complicated by pneumosclerosis, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary emphysema.

Generalized tuberculosis

Generalized tuberculosis develops due to the spread of infection through the hematogenous route to all organs simultaneously. The process can occur in acute or chronic form.

The reasons for the spread of infection are different. Some patients do not comply with treatment regimen. In some patients it is not possible to achieve the effect of treatment. In this category of patients, the generalization of the process occurs in waves. Each new wave of the disease is accompanied by the involvement of another organ. Clinically, a new wave of the disease is accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, cyanosis, and sweating.

Focal tuberculosis

Focal pulmonary tuberculosis manifests itself as small foci of inflammation in the lung tissue. The focal type of the disease is a manifestation of secondary tuberculosis and is more often detected in adults who suffered from the disease in childhood. The source of the disease is localized in the apices of the lungs. Symptoms of the disease include loss of strength, sweating, dry cough, and pain in the side. Hemoptysis does not always appear. The temperature during tuberculosis rises periodically to 37.2 °C. A fresh focal process is easily cured completely, but with inadequate treatment the disease takes on a chronic form. In some cases, the lesions level out on their own with the formation of a capsule.

Infiltrative tuberculosis

Infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis occurs during primary infection and chronic form in adults. Caseous foci are formed, around which a zone of inflammation forms. The infection can spread to the entire lobe of the lung. If the infection progresses, the caseous contents melt and enter the bronchus, and the vacated cavity becomes a source of formation of new foci. The infiltrate is accompanied by exudate. If the course is favorable, the exudate does not completely dissolve; in its place, dense strands of connective tissue are formed. Complaints from patients with the infiltrative form depend on the extent of the process. The disease can be almost asymptomatic, but can manifest as an acute fever. The early stage of tuberculosis infection is detected by fluorography. In people who have not undergone fluorography, the disease develops into a widespread form. Possible death due to pulmonary hemorrhage.

Fibrous-cavernous tuberculosis

symptom of fibrocavernous tuberculosis - weight loss

Fibrous-cavernous pulmonary tuberculosis is formed as a result of the progression of the cavernous process in the lungs. With this type of disease, the walls of caverns (empty cavities in the lung) are replaced by fibrous tissue. Fibrosis also forms around the cavities. Along with caverns, there are foci of contamination. Cavities can connect with each other to form a large cavity. The lung and bronchi are deformed and blood circulation in them is disrupted.

Symptoms of tuberculosis at the onset of the disease include weakness and weight loss. As the disease progresses, shortness of breath, cough with sputum, and temperature rise. The course of tuberculosis occurs continuously or in periodic outbreaks. It is the fibrous-cavernous form of the disease that causes death. A complication of tuberculosis manifests itself in the formation of cor pulmonale with respiratory failure. As the disease progresses, other organs are affected. Complications such as pulmonary hemorrhage or pneumothorax can cause death.

Cirrhotic tuberculosis

Cirrhotic tuberculosis is a manifestation of secondary tuberculosis. Moreover, as a result of the age of the disease, there are extensive formations of fibrous tissue in the lungs and pleura. Along with fibrosis, there are new foci of inflammation in the lung tissue, as well as old cavities. Cirrhosis may be localized or diffuse.

Elderly people suffer from cirrhotic tuberculosis. Symptoms of the disease include cough with sputum and shortness of breath. The temperature rises as the disease worsens. Complications occur in the form of cor pulmonale with shortness of breath and bleeding in the lungs; they cause the death of the disease. Treatment consists of a course of antibiotics with sanitation of the bronchial tree. When the process is localized in the lower lobe, its resection or removal of a segment of the lung is performed.

Extrapulmonary types of tuberculosis

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis develops much less frequently. Tuberculosis infection of other organs can be suspected if the disease cannot be treated for a long time. According to the location of the disease, extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis are distinguished, such as:

• intestinal;
• osteoarticular;
• genitourinary;
• cutaneous

Tuberculosis of the lymph nodes often develops during primary infection. Secondary tuberculous lymphadenitis can develop when the process is activated in other organs. The infection is especially often localized in the cervical, axillary and inguinal lymph nodes. The disease is manifested by enlarged lymph nodes, fever, sweating, and weakness. The affected lymph nodes are soft, mobile on palpation, painless. In case of complications, caseous degeneration of the nodes occurs, other nodes are involved in the process, and a continuous conglomerate is formed, fused to the skin. In this case, the nodes are painful, the skin over them is inflamed, a fistula is formed, through which the products of specific inflammation of the nodes are discharged. At this stage, the patient is contagious to others. If the course is favorable, the fistulas heal and the size of the lymph nodes decreases.

Tuberculosis of the female genital organs is more susceptible to young women 20–30 years old. The disease is often erased. Its main symptom is infertility. Along with this, patients are concerned about menstrual irregularities. The disease is accompanied by an increase in temperature to 37.2 °C and nagging pain in the lower abdomen. To establish a diagnosis, X-ray examination and culture of uterine discharge are used. The x-ray shows displacement of the uterus due to adhesions and tubes with uneven contours. An overview image reveals calcifications in the ovaries and tubes. Complex treatment includes several anti-tuberculosis drugs and lasts for a long time.

Diagnostics

How to diagnose tuberculosis at an early stage? The initial and effective diagnostic method is carried out in the clinic during fluorography. It is performed for each patient once a year. Fluorography for tuberculosis reveals fresh and old foci in the form of infiltration, focus or cavity.

If tuberculosis is suspected, a blood test is done. Blood counts vary greatly depending on the severity of the infection. With fresh lesions, neutrophilic leukocytosis with a shift to the left is noted. In severe forms, lymphocytosis and pathological granularity of neutrophils are detected. ESR values ​​are increased in the acute period of the disease.

An important method of examination for the detection of Koch bacillus is sputum culture for tuberculosis. Mycobacteria are almost always detected in culture if a cavity is visible on the x-ray. With infiltration in the lungs, Koch's bacillus is detected by culture only in 2% of cases. A 3-fold sputum culture is more informative.

A test for tuberculosis is a mandatory method for mass diagnostics. The tuberculin test () is based on the skin reaction after intradermal injection of tuberculin in various dilutions. The Mantoux test for tuberculosis is negative if there is no infiltrate on the skin. With an infiltrate of 2–4 mm, the test is doubtful. If the infiltrate is more than 5 mm, then the Mantoux test is considered positive and indicates the presence of mycobacteria in the body or anti-tuberculosis immunity after vaccination.

Treatment

Is it possible to recover from tuberculosis and how long will it take to undergo treatment? Whether the disease will be cured or not depends not only on the location of the development of the infectious process, but also on the stage of the disease. The body's sensitivity to anti-tuberculosis drugs is of great importance in the success of treatment. These same factors influence how long the disease will take to be treated. If the body is sensitive to anti-tuberculosis drugs, treatment is carried out continuously for 6 months. In case of drug resistance, treatment of tuberculosis continues for up to 24 months.

The modern treatment regimen for tuberculosis infection includes taking a complex of drugs that have an effect only when used simultaneously. With drug sensitivity, complete cure of the open form is achieved in 90% of cases. If treated incorrectly, an easily treatable form of infection turns into difficult-to-treat drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Complex treatment also includes physiotherapeutic methods and breathing exercises. Some patients require surgical treatment. Rehabilitation of patients is carried out in a specialized dispensary.

Drug treatment is carried out according to a 3, 4 and 5 component scheme.

The three-component regimen includes 3 drugs: Streptomycin, Isoniazid and PAS (para-aminosalicylic acid). The emergence of resistant strains of mycobacteria has led to the creation of a four-drug treatment regimen called DOTS. The scheme includes:

• "Isoniazid" or "Ftivazid";
• "Streptomycin" or "Kanamycin";
• "Ethionamide" or "Pyrazinamide";
• "Rifampicin" or "Rifabutin".

This scheme has been in use since 1980 and is used in 120 countries.

The five-component regimen consists of the same drugs, but with the addition of the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin. This regimen is more effective for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Medical nutrition

Nutrition for pulmonary tuberculosis is aimed at restoring body weight and replenishing the lack of vitamins C, B, A and minerals.

The diet for tuberculosis includes the following categories of products.

1. An increased amount of proteins is required due to their rapid breakdown. Easily digestible proteins found in dairy products, fish, poultry, veal and eggs are preferred. Meat products should be boiled, stewed, but not fried.
2. It is recommended to obtain healthy fats from olive, butter and vegetable oil.
3. Carbohydrates contained in any foods (cereals, legumes). Honey and flour products are recommended. Easily digestible carbohydrates are found in fruits and vegetables.

Food should be high in calories and served freshly prepared. The diet consists of 4 meals a day.

Prevention

The main means of preventing tuberculosis is vaccination. But besides this, doctors recommend:

• lead a healthy and active lifestyle, including walks in the fresh air;
• consume foods containing fats of animal origin (fish, meat, eggs);
• do not eat fast food products;
• eat vegetables and fruits to replenish the body with vitamins and minerals that support the immune system;
• In order to prevent infection, young children and elderly people should not have close contact with the sick. Even short-term contact with a sick person in an open form can cause them to become infected.

Vaccination

Prevention of tuberculosis in children and adolescents comes down to preventing infection and preventing the disease. The most effective method of preventing tuberculosis is vaccination. The first vaccination against tuberculosis is carried out in the maternity hospital for newborns on days 3–7. Revaccination is done at 6–7 years of age.

What is the tuberculosis vaccine called? Newborns are given the gentle tuberculosis vaccine BCG-M. Vaccination during revaccination is done with the BCG vaccine.

As a result, we come to the conclusion that tuberculosis is a common infection and poses a danger to everyone around us, especially to children and people with reduced immunity. Even patients with a closed form are potentially dangerous to others. Tuberculosis is dangerous due to its complications and often ends in death. Treatment of the disease requires a lot of time, patience and money. A severe and debilitating disease deprives a person of their quality of life. The best measure to prevent the disease is vaccination.