Tuberculosis Factsheets
Comprehensive information on tuberculosis, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
TB Factsheets
What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body.
Symptoms of TB
Common symptoms include cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Symptoms can vary depending on the site of infection.
Diagnosis of TB
TB is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and laboratory tests, including sputum smear microscopy and culture.
Treatment of TB
TB treatment involves a combination of antibiotics taken for at least 6 months. Directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) is the recommended treatment strategy.
Prevention and Control
Preventing TB involves reducing risk factors, such as HIV infection, and implementing infection control measures in healthcare settings. Vaccination with BCG vaccine is also recommended in high-risk populations.
Additional measures include contact tracing, screening for latent TB infection, and providing preventive therapy to those at high risk.