Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (TB)
About Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (TB)
A bacteria that causes the disease known as TB. The lung is the most common organ involved, but infection can be found in almost any other part of the body. To treat active TB, patients must take multiple antibiotics on schedule for at least several months. Left untreated this infection can be fatal. Tuberculosis is spread through the air from person to person and the bacteria are released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Patients can have a latent infection where the bacteria are not active and multiplying. These patients usually have no symptoms.Symptoms
Depends on the organ system involved. Pulmonary (lung) tuberculosis (TB): fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss, cough with bloody sputum, chest pain; tuberculosis (TB) meningitis: headache, vomiting, stiff neck; Disseminated tuberculosis (TB): symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, painful urination, bone pain.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. A Mantoux skin test (PPD) will identify previous exposure to tuberculosis (TB). A positive PPD does not necessarily mean a person has active tuberculosis (TB). Other tests need to be done. Most often sputum is examined under the microscope to look for the bacteria and sent for TB culture. Cultures of other body fluids and imaging studies are done depending on the clinical presentation.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, MRI, Urinalysis (UA), X-ray.
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
Treatment of active TB requires many months of therapy. TB has become resistant to many antibiotics. Therapy often begins with a 4 drug combination. Once the sensitivities of the strain are identified, the final drug combination is prescribed. Patients must not miss any medication doses and must finish the entire course of treatment.Medical specialties
Internal Medicine · Pediatrics · Family Practice · Infectious Disease Medicine · Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (TB).