Infectious » Bacteria

Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The lungs are primarily involved, but the infection can spread to other organs. The most common means of acquiring the disease is by inhalation of respiratory droplets. Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis may include: coughing for > 3 weeks, haemoptysis and chest pain. A posterior-anterior chest radiograph is used to detect chest abnormalities. Lesions may appear anywhere in the lungs and may differ in size, shape, density or cavitation. The presence of acid-fast-bacilli (AFB) on a sputum smear or other specimen often indicates TB disease. All efforts should be made to prevent drug resistance and it is possible only if freshly- and newly-diagnosed cases are properly and adequately treated with a short course ( minimum 6 months) of chemotherapy.

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