Untreated tuberculosis may result in several long-term complications, such as permanent lung damage. It’s vital for the condition to be treated early to prevent the infection from traveling to other major organs or bodily systems.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. It’s caused by the bacterium M. tuberculosis. Without treatment, TB can cause several potentially life threatening complications, such as pneumonia.
Learn more about the long-term health complications caused by untreated TB, when you should speak with a doctor, and the treatment options available.
TB is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. However, the bacterium M. tuberculosis can move from the lungs and through the lymphatic system to other parts of the body, such as the:
- lymph nodes
- brain
- spine
- bones
- kidneys
- skin
There are
Inactive TB
Around 90% of TB cases are the inactive type. If you have inactive TB, you have the M. tuberculosis bacterium in your body, but you do not have active TB disease. This means that you do not experience any TB symptoms and are unable to pass the infection to others.
However, you may develop active TB at any time and become unwell. Usually, this happens if your immune system is weakened for some reason.
Active TB
Around 10% of people with inactive TB go on to develop the active type. If you have active TB, it means that your immune system cannot keep the M. tuberculosis bacteria in check, and the bacteria are multiplying in your body. In this case, you’ll experience TB symptoms and are capable of passing the infection to others.
The symptoms of active TB are usually mild at first but tend to worsen over time. They include:
- a persistent cough that may produce blood or phlegm
- chest pain
- weakness or fatigue
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- fever
- night sweats
- chills
If you have active TB, the bacteria can also spread to other organs or systems in your body, causing additional symptoms. For example, the bacteria can spread to the bones, causing bone pain.
Without treatment, active TB can be fatal.
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Possible complications include:
- Hemoptysis: This means coughing up blood from the lungs.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): This is a lung disease that can make it hard to breathe.
- Empyema: This is a collection of pus in the pleural space, which is the area between the lung and its surrounding membrane (pleura).
- Pneumothorax: This is a collection of air between the lung and the chest wall, which causes the lung to collapse.
- Bronchiectasis: Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition in which the walls of the airways widen and thicken due to infection and inflammation.
- Fibrothorax: Fibrothorax is a type of severe scarring or “fibrosis” within the pleural space, which can impair movement of the ribcage and affect breathing.
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): This happens when there’s a buildup of fluid within the tiny air sacs of the lungs, which prevents the lungs from filling properly with air. It may also cause the lungs to scar and stiffen. The
main signs and symptoms are breathing difficulties and low blood oxygen levels. - Disseminated TB infection: This is a disease process in which the M. tuberculosis bacteria enters other parts of the body, causing infection outside of the lungs. An example is tubercular meningitis, which affects the brain.
In cases of inactive TB, the M. tuberculosis bacteria can lie dormant for
In cases of active TB, the disease requires immediate treatment over several months. A
Tuberculosis is a potentially curable disease, though treatment depends on the type of TB. Below are the different types and their associated treatment options.
Inactive TB
If you have inactive TB, a doctor will typically prescribe antibiotic medications to kill the M. tuberculosis bacteria, which prevents the disease from becoming active.
The most common preventive therapy is the antibiotic rifampin (Rifadin), which is available as a pill that you take once per day for
Active TB
If you have active TB, a doctor will likely prescribe a combination of antibiotic medications to help treat the infection. You’ll usually have to take these medications for at least 6 months.
Most people will receive preventive therapy in combination with the following three antibiotics:
- rifampin
- pyrazinamide
- ethambutol
You may begin to feel better within weeks of starting the treatment, but it’s important that you continue taking the medication as the doctor prescribes and for the specified duration.
Not completing the treatment can increase your risk of developing drug-resistant TB, which is when the drugs prescribed to treat TB no longer work in your body.
You should speak with a doctor immediately if you think you are experiencing symptoms of TB and if:
- you have recently come into contact with someone who has TB
- you’ve lived in or visited a part of the world where TB is prevalent, such as:
- Asia
- Africa
- Eastern Europe
- Central or South America
- you’ve received a diagnosis of inactive TB
- you’ve had active TB in the past
- you have a weakened immune system
You should also speak with a doctor if you’re taking treatment for TB but experience persistent or worsening symptoms. These may be signs that the treatment is not working effectively and that an alternative option may be needed.
What is the life expectancy of TB?
A
How can TB impact your life?
TB can impact your life in several ways, such as affecting your physical and mental health. It can also lead to stigma, which can affect social life, work, and school.
Is TB curable?
Yes, TB is
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium M. tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but may also affect other parts of the body.
You should speak with a doctor if you’re concerned about possible TB symptoms, especially if you have risk factors for TB or you have had the disease previously. Without treatment, the condition can cause serious and potentially life threatening complications.