It’s natural to think that any respiratory symptoms you experience are a result of Covid. However, it appears that the return of tuberculosis may be the cause of your chronic cough and fever.
Two of the three characteristic Covid symptoms include a persistent cough and fever. However, a leading physician has lately said that these symptoms are not usually caused by Covid.
Cough and fever, according to Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, could be another infectious disease like tuberculosis (TB).
According to Dr. Harries, the pandemic may be delaying TB diagnosis and treatment, implying that there may be many more cases of the disease undiscovered.
Everyone who has tuberculosis should know about the disease’s symptoms, how it spreads, and how to get rid of it.
Tuberculosis – What it is?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that mostly affects the lungs but also affects the stomach, glands, bones, and nervous system.
The disease is spread by breathing droplets from an infected person’s coughs or sneezes. TB treatment has come a long way, yet the disease remains a severe health concern.
What are the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis?
A persistent cough that lasts more than three weeks and produces bloody phlegm is one of the most common indications of tuberculosis.
Other symptoms of tuberculosis include: weight loss, night sweats, high temperature, tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite, spellings in the neck
You should consult a doctor if you have a bloody cough or one that lasts longer than three weeks.
What causes tuberculosis?
The most prevalent and contagious type of tuberculosis is tuberculosis of the lungs. However, it only spreads after prolonged contact with someone who is ill.
The immune system of most healthy people will battle illness and kill the bacteria without generating any symptoms.
Sometimes the bacteria is not eliminated, but our protection prevents it from spreading further in our body. Although you will not experience any symptoms, the germs will remain in your body.
This is known as latent tuberculosis, and this type of tuberculosis is not contagious. If your immune system is impaired, latent tuberculosis can develop into active tuberculosis later.
If your immune system fails to eliminate or control the bacteria, it can spread throughout your body, including your lungs. This is active tuberculosis, and symptoms will appear in a few weeks or months.
If you have active pulmonary tuberculosis, you will be contagious for two to three weeks after starting therapy.
How tuberculosis is treated?
Tuberculosis is a terrible disease, but it can be cured if it is treated properly, which usually entails a six-month course of medicines.
Because some strains of tuberculosis are resistant to some medications, a mixture of antibiotics are usually applied. While self-isolation is not required, you must:
- stay away from work, school or college until your TB treatment team advises you it’s safe to return
- always cover your mouth when coughing, sneezing or laughing
- dispose of any used tissues with care in a sealed plastic bag
- keep windows when possible to ensure a good ventilation
- avoid sleeping in the same room as other people
A chest X-ray, blood tests, and a skin test called the Mantoux test may be required for anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has TB.
Additionally, there is a vaccine known as the BCG vaccine that provides protection against tuberculosis and is recommended by the CDC for infants, children, and adults under the age of 35 who are at risk of contracting the disease.
The vaccine is not routinely given to adults above the age of 35 because there is no proof that it works in this age range.
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