Tuberculosis (TB) is a silent killer and a dangerous disease, and timely diagnosis along with complete treatment is the only way to prevent it.
TB is a serious and infectious disease that usually affects the lungs; however, it can also target other vital organs of the body such as the heart, kidneys, bones, and brain.
The disease is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which spreads through the air from one person to another. Globally, it remains a major health issue, and millions of people are affected by it every year.
According to experts, considering TB only as a lung disease is a misconception. In reality, there is a form called “extrapulmonary TB,” which affects other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, bones, and the brain.
This type often progresses silently without clear symptoms, which leads to delays in diagnosis and increases the risk of complications.
According to statistics, approximately 10.6 million people contracted TB last year, of which 15 to 20 percent were cases of extrapulmonary TB.
The risk of this disease is higher in Pakistan, India, and other developing countries, especially among children, women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
TB has three stages: primary infection, latent infection, and active disease. In the early stages, there are often no clear symptoms; however, in active TB, symptoms such as severe cough, coughing up blood, fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, and chest pain appear.
When TB affects lymph nodes instead of the lungs, it causes painless swelling in the neck or other parts of the body. In cases of bone TB, particularly of the spine, persistent back pain occurs, which is often ignored.
Experts say that TB is a treatable disease, provided it is diagnosed in time and treated completely. Treatment for latent TB usually lasts 3 to 4 months, while treatment for active TB continues for 4 to 9 months. It is essential for patients to complete the full course of medication so that the disease is eradicated completely and drug resistance does not develop.
