Tuberculosis – how to protect your health?
16.03.2026 14:14:29 114
Tuberculosis is an infectious (contagious) disease that develops when tuberculosis bacteria enter the body. The primary organ affected by the disease is the lungs. In rare cases, tuberculosis can affect the brain and its membranes, bones, joints, kidneys, genitals, eyes, intestines, and other organs. The infection is primarily transmitted by airborne droplets, entering the respiratory system from an infected person to a healthy person, so infection can occur anywhere, not necessarily through direct contact with an infected person.
Tuberculosis bacteria grow and multiply in the lungs of people with tuberculosis. This causes inflammation and subsequent tissue destruction, forming areas of decay called cavities, which contain millions of bacteria. Coughing, sneezing, and talking release tuberculosis bacteria into the surrounding air. Tuberculosis bacteria can remain airborne for several hours. Therefore, no one is immune from tuberculosis infection, as air is shared by all people. The risk of infection increases with prolonged and frequent contact with someone with tuberculosis. If the body's defenses are strong and contact with someone infected is brief, the tuberculosis bacteria that enter the lungs are destroyed by the body's cells, and infection does not occur.
Tuberculosis can be contracted at any age, but it is especially dangerous for children and adults with weakened immune systems. People between the ages of 20 and 40 (50%)—those of working and childbearing age—are most susceptible to tuberculosis.
The causative agent of the disease, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Koch's bacillus), is resistant to environmental influences, retaining its properties in soil and snow, and is resistant to alcohol, acids, and alkalis. However, it dies under prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, high temperatures, and chlorine-containing substances.
With timely detection, diagnosis, and proper treatment, tuberculosis can be stopped in its earliest stages. Without treatment, the mortality rate from active tuberculosis can reach 50% within one to two years. In other cases, untreated tuberculosis becomes chronic. A chronic patient can live for many years, continuing to shed bacteria and infect others.
Today, everyone should be aware of the main symptoms of tuberculosis. In the early stages of the disease, general weakness, fatigue, and loss of appetite may occur. As the disease progresses, prolonged fever, cough, chest pain, sweating, weight loss, and decreased performance may occur. Cough is the most characteristic symptom of tuberculosis. If it persists for more than two weeks, it is essential to get tested. Tuberculosis testing is free.
Tuberculosis is a problem for the entire society, so its growth and spread can only be stopped when everyone is well-informed and applies their knowledge of tuberculosis prevention in their daily lives.
Chief sanitary doctor of Mendykarinsky district.