Everything You Need to Know About Pulmonary and Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that affects numerous people around the world. It is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can be divided into two main categories: pulmonary TB and extra-pulmonary TB. Knowing the difference between these two types of tuberculosis is important in order to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Let's take a look at what exactly pulmonary and Extra-Pulmonary TB are, their symptoms, and how they can be treated.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis Pulmonary TB affects the lungs, hence its name. It is the most common form of TB, accounting for about 80% of all cases. Symptoms may include coughing up blood or mucus from deep within the lungs, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats, and chills. Diagnosis is usually done through chest X-rays or sputum testing. Treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics taken over 6 to 12 months; however, depending on individual cases it can take longer or shorter periods of time for treatment to be successful.
Extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis Extra-pulmonary TB affects organs other than the lungs including the lymph nodes, bones, joints and even the brain. Symptoms vary depending on which organ has been infected but may include fever/chills/night sweats similar to those experienced with pulmonary TB as well as joint pain/swelling or difficulty breathing when other organs are affected such as lymph nodes or bones. Diagnosis is usually done through physical examination as well as laboratory tests such as skin tests or blood tests. Treatment involves taking antibiotics for 6 to 12 months similar to pulmonary TB; however again this can vary depending on individual cases.
Conclusion: Both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis require prompt diagnosis and treatment in order to reduce any further complications associated with this condition. Understanding which type you have will help you get access to the right treatments in order to achieve a full recovery more quickly so that you can get back to feeling your best self! If you think you may have either type of tuberculosis it’s important that you speak with your doctor immediately so they can begin running tests and start a treatment plan if necessary. Taking action now will help ensure that your health stays in top shape!