Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the diseases that spreads through the air. This disease is caused by an infection of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The first organ to be attacked is the lungs, and then it can slowly spread to other areas, including the kidneys, brain, and spine. Its transmission can occur from person to person. There are 2 types of tuberculosis infections, namely:

1. Latent TB infection

Anyone can have TB bacteria in their body and not experience symptoms. This is because their immune system renders the bacteria inactive, preventing them from multiplying. In this condition, a person is said to have TB infection but not active disease. However, TB infection still requires treatment, although there is no risk of transmitting it to others.

2. Active TB

Unlike the infection, when the immune system weakens, a person becomes unable to contain TB bacteria. As a result, the bacteria can multiply and cause symptoms, thus referred to as active tuberculosis disease, and is contagious. In those infected, around 5-10% of cases will progress to active.

Symptoms

The typical symptoms of tuberculosis are severe cough accompanied by bloody sputum lasting for three weeks or more. Additionally, other symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight, fever, chills, and night sweats. These symptoms may worsen over time but can also disappear and reappear spontaneously.

The typical symptom of TB is a severe cough with sputum, sometimes bloody.

The cause

As mentioned earlier, tuberculosis spreads through the air, which can be transmitted through droplets from coughing, saliva, or sneezing. The risk of transmission increases when in the same room as an infected person for an extended period. Additionally, some other factors that increase the risk of active tuberculosis are as follows:

• Children and the elderly

• Having a weakened immune system

• First-time exposure to active tuberculosis

• Not receiving proper tuberculosis treatment

Diagnose

If the infection is latent, then no symptoms will appear, but it can be identified through skin tests or blood tests. Those who need to get tested are those who have spent time with infected individuals, traveled to countries with high tuberculosis cases, and worked in environments vulnerable to tuberculosis.

The results of both tests cannot determine whether the disease is latent or active, thus further examination is needed through sputum tests and chest X-rays. Warning signs to be aware of include a cough that does not stop for 3 weeks, coughing up phlegm or blood, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, fever, night sweats, chest pain, and overall feeling unwell.

Treatment

The primary treatment for tuberculosis is antibiotics. The medications prescribed by doctors are determined based on age, the nature of TB (latent or active), as well as the disease's resistance to drugs. Treatment varies, ranging from once a week for 12 weeks to daily for 9 months.

Orang yang mengidap tuberkulosis harus menyelesaikan pengobatannya, meskipun gejalanya sudah hilang. Ketika berhenti saat obatnya belum habis, justru menyebabkan risiko lain, seperti durasi penyakit lebih lama, bakteri tetap bertahan hidup, hingga menjadi kebal terhadap antibiotiknya. Ketika sudah kebal terhadap obat, pengobatannya justru semakin rumit.

TB treatment must still be completed even if symptoms have disappeared

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This disease can be latent (infection exists but asymptomatic) and active (symptomatic). Its treatment requires high commitment as it needs to be completed until the end, otherwise the bacteria may become resistant to its antibiotics.

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