Pneumonia and Tuberculosis

Best Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment in Hyderabad, India

Get Pneumonia and Tuberculosis Treatment At CARE Hospitals  

Tuberculosis (TB) in effect with pneumonia is caused by the microbe bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a contagious, airborne infection that affects human tissue. When M. tuberculosis infects the lungs and causes conditions like pneumonia it is known as pulmonary tuberculosis. It is contagious and can spread to other organs. With early diagnosis and treatment at CARE Hospitals in India, pulmonary pneumonia tuberculosis can be cured.

Those who have latent TB are not contagious. They have no symptoms as the immune system gets protected from becoming ill. However, latent tuberculosis may progress to pulmonary or active tuberculosis. If one has a compromised immune system, such as HIV infection, the risk increases. 

Causes

Pneumonia is typically caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi infecting the lungs, with common culprits including Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza viruses. 

Tuberculosis (TB) is primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, often spreading through airborne respiratory droplets. Both diseases compromise lung function, leading to symptoms like coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. 

Pneumonia is more acute, affecting individuals of all ages, while TB is a chronic infection that primarily targets the lungs but can spread to other organs.

Symptoms

Pneumonia and tuberculosis can be detected with the following symptoms-

• cough up phlegm

• cough up blood

• have a consistent fever

• low-grade fevers

• have night sweats

• have chest pains

• have unexplained weight loss

Fatigue is also one of the common symptoms associated with pulmonary pneumonia tuberculosis. One may have one or more than one of the symptoms and are required to get a proper diagnosis. These symptoms will not go away with basic medications and a complete treatment becomes necessary.

Risk Factors

People who have direct contact with those having TB are at the highest risk of contracting pulmonary pneumonia tuberculosis. This can include contact with the TB-infected family or friends, or working in areas or being in such environments like-

• correctional facilities

• group homes

• nursing homes

• Hospitals

• Shelters

People who are the risk-

• older adults

• small children

• people who smoke

• people with an autoimmune disorder

•  Lupus

• rheumatoid arthritis

• people with diabetes or kidney disease

• people who inject drugs

• people who are immunocompromised

•  HIV

• undergoing chemotherapy

• chronic steroids

Pulmonary tuberculosis is treatable with medication, but if left untreated or not properly cured, it can be fatal. Untreated pulmonary tuberculosis can lead to long-term harm to organs like-

• Lungs

• Brain

• Liver

• Heart

• spine

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is started with a physical examination to check lung-fluid content. You further need to tell your doctor about your medical history. Doctors also recommend an X-ray scan and test to confirm pulmonary pneumonia tuberculosis.

• A doctor will ask to cough and induce sputum up to three times to diagnose pulmonary pneumonia tuberculosis. The samples will be sent to a laboratory to conduct a confirmatory exam. They will examine the sputum under a microscope and detect the presence of tuberculosis. 

• The sputum is also run through a culture exam- It is the procedure in which it is kept in a specific substance. The substance encourages the growth of tuberculosis bacteria. Thriving will detect the TB as positive.

• A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can also be conducted by medical professionals. It looks for specific genes from the microorganisms that cause tuberculosis in the sputum.

• CT scan- Imaging for the lungs to detect the TB.

• Bronchoscopy- Test in which a scope is inserted into the mouth or nose and examine the tract and lungs.

• Thoracentesis- The fluid is removed from the chest and lung wall.

• Lung Biopsy- Sample of lung tissue is taken.

Treatment 

People with mild TB and who have not developed pulmonary TB should get treated as it may lead to pneumonia-causing TB. The doctors prescribe many medications and drugs for 6 months to clear out the pulmonary pneumonia TB.

As a confirmatory treatment, the doctor may propose a procedure known as directly observed therapy (DOT). Stopping treatment or skipping doses can cause pulmonary pneumonia tuberculosis to become drug-resistant. It can result in MDR-TB. 

MDR-TB is a type of tuberculosis that develops resistance to standard antibiotics. The factors causing it-

• incorrect drug

• people stopping treatment early

• people taking poor-quality medications

People who develop MDR-TB have fewer therapeutic treatments. Second-line therapies can take up to two years to complete. MDR-TB has the potential to progress further to extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). Hence take your medications timely.

Some tips to remember-

• Every day, take your medications at the same time.

• Make a note on your calendar reminding you've taken your medicine.

• Request that someone remind you to take your medicine on a daily basis.

• A pill organiser is the best way to keep track of your medications.

Prevention 

Prevention of Pneumonia:

• Vaccination:
  • Pneumococcal vaccines protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common pneumonia-causing bacterium.
  • Influenza vaccines reduce the risk of pneumonia associated with influenza viruses.
• Good Hygiene Practices:
  • Regular handwashing helps prevent the spread of respiratory infections.
  • Avoiding close contact with sick individuals reduces the risk of infection.
• Healthy Lifestyle:
  • Adequate nutrition and exercise support a strong immune system.
  • Avoiding tobacco smoke and reducing exposure to pollutants can protect lung health.

Prevention of Tuberculosis:

• Tuberculosis Vaccination:
  • Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used in many countries to prevent severe forms of TB, particularly in children.
• Infection Control Measures:
  • Identifying and isolating individuals with active TB helps prevent the spread of the bacteria.
  • Proper ventilation in enclosed spaces reduces the risk of airborne transmission.
• Antibiotic Treatment (Prophylaxis):
  • Treating latent TB infection with antibiotics can prevent the progression to active TB disease.
• Education and Awareness:
  • Promoting awareness about TB transmission, symptoms, and seeking early medical attention facilitates prevention.
• Contact Screening:
  • Screening individuals who have been in close contact with TB patients helps identify and treat latent infections promptly.

Why Choose CARE Hospitals 

CARE Hospitals heritage is defined by its unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, low costs, cutting-edge technology, and forward-thinking research and academia. CARE Hospitals is one of the world's first hospitals to use technology to help with seamless healthcare delivery. 

 Our objective is to make international-standard healthcare accessible to everyone. We work for the benefit of humanity and are devoted to achieving and maintaining excellence in education, research, and healthcare.