Ever since the COVID 19 Pandemic took over, we have somehow stopped paying attention to other diseases that have somewhat similar symptoms as those of COVID. Constant coughing is not always a sign of COVID or allergies, it can also be Tuberculosis which is another significant condition affecting the body’s respiratory system. If you or someone you know is suffering from tuberculosis or encountering the possibility of having so, then this blog is here to provide you guidance about the same.

What are the tuberculosis symptoms, what kind of medical professionals do you need to consult for the same, what is the right way to care for someone with tuberculosis, and most importantly, is it possible to lead a normal life with tuberculosis? Read on to find out.

What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis or TB, as it is widely known, is a lung infection that is caused due to a bacteria which penetrates and infects the lungs. It is known to spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and when the droplets come in contact with another person through inhalation.

What are the symptoms of Tuberculosis?
The common tuberculosis symptoms are constant coughing (that lasts for more than three weeks at a stretch), chest pain, coughing blood, troublesome breathing, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, fever or unexplained drastic weight loss. Most people with tuberculosis do not experience any specific symptoms.

How can Tuberculosis be treated?
During the 1900s, tuberculosis could not be treated well due to the absence of proper medications. In today’s age, Tuberculosis can be treated using a long-term course of antibiotics that kill the bacteria in the lungs and heal the infection from within.

Note: With the help of the right medication, a good nutritional diet, proper care and follow-up, tuberculosis can be treated at any stage.

Can Tuberculosis patients lead a normal life?
Absolutely. Even though tuberculosis symptoms can turn out to be fatal when left undiagnosed or untreated for a long time, once treatment starts, patients start showing signs of recovery quickly. Even during treatment and recovery, patients can live a completely normal life. The only thing to remember about tuberculosis treatment is to maintain the consistency of treatment.

Unlike other infections, that do not take much time to heal and get resolved, tuberculosis requires long-term treatment using anti-bacterial medications. The usual length of treatment for tuberculosis ranges from 3-6 months and it is highly advisable to maintain a proper dosage of the medication, not skip even a single dose if one wants to completely recover from tuberculosis.

A person infected with tuberculosis is needed to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle by way of good nutrition and exercise. If you know someone who is suffering from TB, you must tell them to include foods in their diet that are primarily rich in Vitamin C, A, and E. This includes generous servings of citrus fruits and vegetables such as lemon, guava, gooseberries, banana, nuts with good fats in them as well asfiber-rich foods such as ragi and multigrain flour. It is advised to avoid junk food as much as possible and avoid smoking.

To conclude, tuberculosis can be fatal, but it is not untreatable at all. With timely medication and proper care, one can live a life free of TB and be completely healthy. If you or anyone you know is experiencing any of the aforementioned tuberculosis symptoms, the best course of action is to consult a doctor either virtually or physically. The earlier the symptoms are diagnosed, the easier it will be to get treated. 

Check out Docty to know more about how online doctor consultation can help in primary analysis and treatment for Tubersulosis.