Consumption: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

CSV import
Tags: mobile edit mobile web edit
 
CSV import
 
Line 1: Line 1:
Consumption, also known as pulmonary tuberculosis, is a contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is transmitted through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Consumption can also affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain, leading to a range of symptoms and complications if left untreated.


== Symptoms ==
{{Infobox medical condition
The symptoms of consumption can vary depending on the stage of the infection. Common symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. In advanced stages, consumption can cause difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, and a persistent cough that lasts for several weeks.
| name = Tuberculosis
| image =  
| caption =  
| field = Infectious disease
| symptoms = Chronic cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss
| complications = Lung damage, spread to other organs
| onset = Gradual
| duration = Long-term
| causes = ''[[Mycobacterium tuberculosis]]''
| risks = [[HIV/AIDS]], [[smoking]], [[diabetes]], [[malnutrition]]
| diagnosis = [[Tuberculin skin test]], [[chest X-ray]], [[sputum culture]]
| treatment = [[Antibiotics]]
| medication = [[Isoniazid]], [[Rifampicin]], [[Ethambutol]], [[Pyrazinamide]]
| frequency = 10 million cases per year
| deaths = 1.5 million per year
}}


== Diagnosis ==
'''Tuberculosis''' (TB), historically known as '''consumption''', is an infectious disease usually caused by the bacterium ''[[Mycobacterium tuberculosis]]'' (MTB). Tuberculosis generally affects the [[lungs]], but can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections do not have symptoms, in which case it is known as latent tuberculosis. About 10% of latent infections progress to active disease which, if left untreated, kills about half of those affected.
Diagnosing consumption typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, imaging tests such as chest X-rays or CT scans, and laboratory tests including sputum analysis and tuberculin skin tests. A definitive diagnosis is often confirmed through the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum samples or other bodily fluids.


== Treatment ==
The classic symptoms of active TB are a chronic [[cough]] with [[sputum]] containing blood, [[fever]], [[night sweats]], and [[weight loss]]. The historical term "consumption" came about due to the severe weight loss and the way the disease "consumed" the individual. Infection of other organs can cause a wide range of symptoms.
The treatment of consumption involves a combination of antibiotics to kill the bacteria and prevent the spread of the infection. The most common antibiotics used to treat consumption include isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Treatment usually lasts for several months to ensure that all bacteria are eradicated from the body. It is essential for patients to complete the full course of treatment to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis.


== Prevention ==
Tuberculosis is spread through the air when people who have active TB in their lungs cough, spit, speak, or sneeze. People with latent TB do not spread the disease. Active infection occurs more often in people with [[HIV/AIDS]] and in those who smoke.
Preventing consumption involves a combination of strategies, including vaccination with the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, maintaining good respiratory hygiene, and avoiding close contact with individuals who have active tuberculosis. Early detection and treatment of consumption in infected individuals can also help prevent the spread of the disease to others.


[[File:Tuberculosis X-ray.jpg|thumb|An X-ray showing tuberculosis infection in the lungs]]
Diagnosis of active TB is based on [[chest X-rays]], as well as microscopic examination and culture of body fluids. The [[tuberculin skin test]] (TST) or a blood test can be used to screen those at high risk of TB.


== Complications ==
Prevention of TB involves screening those at high risk, early detection and treatment of cases, and vaccination with the [[bacillus Calmette-Guérin]] (BCG) vaccine. Treatment requires the use of multiple [[antibiotics]] over a long period of time. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem in multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
If left untreated, consumption can lead to severe complications such as lung damage, respiratory failure, and the formation of cavities in the lungs. In some cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, causing conditions such as meningitis, bone infections, and kidney disease. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent these complications from occurring.


== Prognosis ==
== See also ==
With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for individuals with consumption is generally good. However, the disease can be life-threatening if left untreated or if drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis develop. Regular follow-up care and monitoring are essential to ensure that the infection is fully eradicated and to prevent recurrence.
* [[Pulmonary tuberculosis]]
* [[Extrapulmonary tuberculosis]]
* [[History of tuberculosis]]
* [[Tuberculosis management]]


== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.who.int/health-topics/tuberculosis World Health Organization: Tuberculosis]
* [https://www.cdc.gov/tb/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Tuberculosis]
{{Infectious diseases}}
{{Respiratory diseases}}
[[Category:Tuberculosis]]
[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
[[Category:Respiratory diseases]]
[[Category:Respiratory diseases]]
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]]
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]]
{{medicine-stub}}

Latest revision as of 21:20, 27 December 2024


Tuberculosis
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Chronic cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss
Complications Lung damage, spread to other organs
Onset Gradual
Duration Long-term
Types N/A
Causes Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Risks HIV/AIDS, smoking, diabetes, malnutrition
Diagnosis Tuberculin skin test, chest X-ray, sputum culture
Differential diagnosis N/A
Prevention N/A
Treatment Antibiotics
Medication Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide
Prognosis N/A
Frequency 10 million cases per year
Deaths 1.5 million per year


Tuberculosis (TB), historically known as consumption, is an infectious disease usually caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections do not have symptoms, in which case it is known as latent tuberculosis. About 10% of latent infections progress to active disease which, if left untreated, kills about half of those affected.

The classic symptoms of active TB are a chronic cough with sputum containing blood, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. The historical term "consumption" came about due to the severe weight loss and the way the disease "consumed" the individual. Infection of other organs can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Tuberculosis is spread through the air when people who have active TB in their lungs cough, spit, speak, or sneeze. People with latent TB do not spread the disease. Active infection occurs more often in people with HIV/AIDS and in those who smoke.

Diagnosis of active TB is based on chest X-rays, as well as microscopic examination and culture of body fluids. The tuberculin skin test (TST) or a blood test can be used to screen those at high risk of TB.

Prevention of TB involves screening those at high risk, early detection and treatment of cases, and vaccination with the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Treatment requires the use of multiple antibiotics over a long period of time. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem in multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

See also[edit]

References[edit]

<references group="" responsive="1"></references>


External links[edit]



Infectious diseases
Bacterial
Viral
Fungal
Parasitic
Prion
This infectious diseases related article is a stub.




Respiratory diseases
Upper respiratory tract
Lower respiratory tract
Pleural cavity
Pulmonary vascular diseases
Related conditions and diseases
This respiratory disease-related article is a stub.
Retrieved from "https://wikimd.com/index.php?title=Consumption&oldid=6079287"