TB Cure

Tuberculosis, which was once known as consumption, is a serious infectious disease characterized by serious lung damage that can potentially spread to other parts of the body and even result in death. Although it is a serious problem in parts of Africa and Asia, it is easily treatable through a variety of medications. In addition, there are a number of ways to decrease your risk of ever contracting the disease.

Symptoms

• For some, the tuberculosis bacteria may remain dormant in the system, but is not contagious and causes no symptoms. This is known as latent tuberculosis. Active tuberculosis causes symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, fever, chills and a diminished appetite. Most cases of tuberculosis affect the lungs, and symptoms of this include prolonged periods of coughing and coughing that lasts upwards of three weeks or longer; pain in the chest and pain while coughing or breathing; and coughing up blood. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult with your doctor immediately, as the disease requires prompt treatment.

Treatment

• If you have latent tuberculosis, your doctor will prescribe a nine-month regimen of the drug isoniazid that is typically taken once or twice a day. This is done as a preventative measure to keep the condition from developing into active tuberculosis. If you have active tuberculosis, treatment requires the use of four drugs: rifampin, isoniazid, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. Over the course of the nine-month treatment your doctor may eliminate certain drugs or reduce the dosage depending on your progress, and during the final four months of treatment you may be prescribed rifapentine to be taken in conjunction with whatever remaining drugs you're currently taking.

  Treating drug-resistant tuberculosis and tuberculosis in patients with HIV or pregnant women is different and involves a different combination of drugs. Drug-resistant tuberculosis is taken for upwards of two years, though the condition is often fatal. If you have HIV/AIDS, you will have to discontinue your HIV/AIDS medication during treatment, as the drug rifampin interacts with it.

  Whatever your case may be, the recommended treatment regimen needs to be completed. Failure to do so can potentially lead to your individual case of tuberculosis becoming drug-resistant, leading to severe complications and even death.

Prevention

• The best way to prevent a tuberculosis infection is to maintain a healthy immune system through plenty of exercise and a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables. If you live in a high risk area, regular tests will help ensure that if you are infected, prompt treatment can occur and increase the risk of a swift and healthy recovery. If you do have tuberculosis, eliminate contact with others until your doctor informs you that you are no longer contagious. Make sure you have proper ventilation in your room, and always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.