When you hear the word "tuberculosis," you might think of it as a disease that only affects people in developing countries. However, tuberculosis (or TB, for short) is more common than you might think. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. In this blog post, we'll be discussing everything you need to know about TB, from its symptoms to its treatment.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that usually attacks the lungs. However, it can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, spine, and kidneys. Tuberculosis is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

What are the Symptoms of Tuberculosis?

The symptoms of TB depend on where in the body the infection is located. For example, if the infection is in your lungs, you might experience a bad cough that lasts for more than three weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. If the infection has spread to your brain or spine, you might experience headaches, seizures, or weakness in your limbs.

How is Tuberculosis Treated?

Tuberculosis is treated with a combination of antibiotics. Treatment usually lasts for six to nine months. It's important that you finish taking all of your medication even if you start feeling better before finishing the entire course of antibiotics. If you stop taking your medication too soon, the infection could come back and it might be resistant to antibiotics.

Conclusion:

Tuberculosis is a serious infection that can be deadly if left untreated. However, it's important to remember that tuberculosis is treatable and curable. If you think you might have tuberculosis, it's important to see a doctor right away so that you can start treatment as soon as possible.