Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the lungs and has the potential to be serious. It is caused by bacteria that are spread from person to person in much the same way as colds and flu on tiny droplets from coughs and sneezes.

Tuberculosis was rare in developed countries but infections have been on the rise since 1985. This is in part due to the emergence of HIV, which causes AIDS. HIV weakens the immune system allowing a person to be more vulnerable to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. In the US, tuberculosis began to decline in 1993 because of control programs. It still remains a concern.

There are many strains of tuberculosis that are resistant to drugs. People who have an active case of tuberculosis need to take many medications for months in order to overcome it and prevent antibiotic resistance.

Symptoms of active TB include:

• Coughing lasting for three weeks or more
• Coughing up blood or mucus
• Pain with breathing or coughing
• Chest pain
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Chills
• Loss of appetite

TB can affect other parts of the body, including the brain, spine, and kidneys. When TB affects other parts of the body the symptoms will vary depending on what organs are impacted. TB in the spine may cause back pain. If it affects the kidneys, it can cause blood in the urine.

TB is preventable and treatable, and still remains a leading infectious disease that killed about 1.4 million people in 2019. It is estimated that one-fourth of the world’s population is infected with TB bacteria. About 10 million people have active cases of TB each year. TB affects people in all countries of the world.

The US has a fairly low number of cases, but too many are affected by TB. Estimates suggest that 13 million people in the US have latent TB and could risk developing active cases in the future.

The body can harbor the bacteria that cause tuberculosis and the immune system can normally prevent you from getting sick. This is the reason that doctors will make the distinction between latent and active tuberculosis.

Latent TB (tuberculosis) is when you have an infection but have no symptoms. Latent TB is not contagious but can become active. Even with latent TB, treatment is important.

Active TB makes you sick and is contagious and can easily spread to others. TB can become active weeks or years after you have become infected.

See a doctor if you have a fever, drenching night sweats, persistent cough, and/or experiencing unexplained weight loss. These can be indications or symptoms of TB. They can also be symptoms of other illnesses, but it is best to be certain. It is recommended to see a doctor if you have had exposure to TB. The CDC recommends that people who are at greater risk of developing active TB should be screened for latent TB infection. People who have HIV/AIDS, are in contact with infected people, use IV drugs, are from a country where TB is common, live or work in places where TB is common, work in health care, and children who have contact with adults who are at risk of TB. For more information, call us today or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Alexandria VA, and Ruther glen VA. We serve patients from Alexandria VA, Ruther Glen VA, Bagdad VA, Athens VA, Balty VA, and Doswell VA.