Tuberculosis

Tubeculosis is a higly infectious disease caused by tubercle bacilli. it is primarily a repiratory disease but can also affect other organs of the body and is common among malnourished individuals living in crowded areas. Occurs in children in the form of primary complex.

Signs and Symptoms


1. Cough of two weeks or more
2. Fever
3. Chest or back pains not referable to any muculo-skeletal disorders
4. Hemoptysis or recurrent blood-streaked sputum
5. Significant weight loss
6. Other signs and symptoms such as sweating, fatigue, body malaise and shortness of breath

Infectious Agent

1. Mycobaterium Tuberculosis
2. M. Africanum

The etiologic agent can be identified only by culture of the organisms

Mode of Transmission

1, Airborne droplet; coughing, sneezing
2. Direct invasion through mucous membranes or breaks in the skin may occur.
3. Bovine tuberculosis results from exposure to tuberculosis cattle. usually by ingestion of
unpasteurized milk or dairy products.

Period of Communicability

1. Some untreated or inadequately treated patients may be sputum positive intermittently for
years.
2. As long as viable tubercle bacilli are bieng discharged in the sputum
3. Children with primary tuberculosis are generally not infectious.

Susceptibility and Resistance

1. First 6-12 months is the most hazardous period for development of clinical disease.
2. The risk of developing of the disease is highest in children <3 style="font-weight: bold;">Methods od Control
Preventive Measures
1. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of infectious cases
2. BCG vaccination of newborn, infants and grade-1 and school entrants.
3. Educate the public in mode of spread and methods of control and importance of early
diagnosis.
4. Provide public health nursing and outreach services for home supervision of patients to supervise tehrapy directly and to arrange for examination and preventive treatment of contact.

There are two formulations of anti-TB drugs

1. Fixed-dose combination (FDCs) – two or more first-line anti-TB drugs are combined in one tablet. There are 2-, 3-, 4-drug fixed-dose combinations.

2. Single drug Formulation – (SDF) – each drug is prepared individually. INH, Ethambutol, and pyrazinamide are in tablet form while rifampicin is in capsule form.