Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, better known as Koch's bacillus, which has great chances of cure if the disease is identified at the initial stage and the treatment performed correctly according to the medical recommendation. Understand what tuberculosis is, types and how the diagnosis is made.
Usually the treatment is done with the use of some antibiotics for 6 to 24 months uninterrupted and, in the case of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, it is important to include therapeutic measures related to the symptoms presented, which may include physiotherapy or surgery, for example. See how tuberculosis treatment is done.
Is Tuberculosis Contagious?
After 15 to 30 days of initiation of treatment, the person diagnosed with tuberculosis is no longer contagious, and it is no longer necessary for the treatment to be done in hospitalization and isolation. Symptoms usually improve after the second month of treatment, but the use of the drugs must be continued until the laboratory results are negative or the doctor discontinues the medication.
In the case of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, in which the bacteria reach other parts of the body, such as bones and intestines, for example, contagion does not happen, and the patient can be treated close to other people.
What to do
In order for cure to be achieved more quickly, it is important that tuberculosis be identified at the very earliest symptoms and that the treatment be done shortly thereafter and in accordance with medical advice. Usually the doctor indicates the use of some antibiotics in order to eliminate the bacteria and that they should be taken even if there are no symptoms. Get to know the 4X1 treatment against tuberculosis.
The treatment time varies from 6 months to 1 year and should not be interrupted, as it may result in bacterial resistance, recurrence of disease or complications, and can transmit the disease to other people.
In addition, it is important to have a balanced diet and with foods capable of strengthening the immune system, being rich mainly in vitamin D, which is an important regulator of the immune system, favoring the elimination of pro-inflammatory substances and the production of anti- inflammatory properties, promoting elimination of the bacterium more quickly. Here's how to improve the immune system through diet.
When the treatment is done in the right way, the person gets cured, however, it can develop the disease again if it comes in contact with the bacteria.
Tuberculosis vaccine
One of the ways to prevent tuberculosis is through the BCG vaccine, which should be administered as early as the first month of life. Vaccination is the only way to prevent the most serious forms of tuberculosis. Learn more about the BCG vaccine.
