Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Specialty of Pulmonary Disease

Pulmonary tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis that can be acquired by inhaling water droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person (called Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Among its most frequent symptoms at an advanced stage of the disease include fever, sweating, weight loss, general fatigue, cough, chest pain, and bleeding in sputum. For the diagnosis is necessary isolation of these bacilli in sputum culture or through various tests or biopsies (broncoescopia, glangionar pleural biopsy or biopsy). If treatment is not done, tuberculosis kills. The usual treatment is based on the combination of at least four drugs (Isoniazid, Rifampin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide) or sometimes other, administered several times daily for a prolonged period of time (six months, usually). Since it is a communicable disease, follow medical advice with regard to the control of medication and initial insulation to prevent a possible spread of the disease to the rest of the population.