Cough has become a very common problem now a days. Due to factors like corona virus, increasing pollution, change in weather, one easily becomes vulnerable to cough. Cough has always been considered a common problem but after the corona virus, it is now taken seriously. Sometimes cough can also be a symptom of TB or tuberculosis, which is not understood by everyone.
Actually, persistent cough is common in TB. But now even after corona, many people have continuous cough. In such a situation, it becomes difficult to understand whether it is happening due to TB or corona or any other reason. First of all, you need to understand that the chronic cough caused by TB is often caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection while the common cough is usually caused by a viral upper respiratory tract infection.
How to differentiate between TB and common cough?
To understand cough it is important to understand its type and duration. TB and other chronic respiratory diseases can cause cough. But it should also be known that the initial symptoms of TB emerge in the form of cough only. A cough that lasts for more than two weeks can be a symptom of TB.
difference between tb and common cough
TB has a severe cough that lasts longer than 2 weeks
History of TB patient being infected with TB
TB infected patient will cough blood
fatigue that doesn’t go away
loss of appetite leading to weight loss
body chills
fever and night sweats
Causes of TB
weak immune system
coming in contact with a TB infected person
poor diet
frequent smoking
Pre-existing health disorders like chronic kidney disease and immunity diseases
Treatment of TB
1. First episode of TB – 6 months of medicines and regular follow-up to kill maximum amount of bacteria present inside the body to prevent the bacteria from spreading, so that the patient does not become infected with TB again
2. Second episode of TB requires 8 to 9 months of TB drugs that focus on killing inactive TB inside the body
3. If a person is not getting relief despite taking medicines in category 1 and 2 and gets infected with TB again for the third or fourth time, then he/she may have MDR TB, which means multidrug resistant TB.
keep this in mind
Multidrug resistant TB requires strict treatment and is diagnosed through gene expert testing through which gene expert tests can be performed.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot be a substitute for any medicine or treatment in any way. Always consult your doctor for more details.