Keuhkotuberkuloosi

Keuhkotuberkuloosi, often referred to simply as tuberculosis or TB, is an infectious disease primarily affecting the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease is typically spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing infectious droplets that can be inhaled by others.

Symptoms of active pulmonary tuberculosis can include a persistent cough, sometimes producing bloody sputum, chest pain, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. Many people infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis do not develop active TB; instead, they have latent TB infection. In latent TB, the bacteria remain dormant in the body, and the person is not contagious and usually has no symptoms. However, latent TB can progress to active TB later in life, especially if the person's immune system is weakened.

Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis involves a combination of methods, including chest X-rays, sputum tests to identify the presence of bacteria, and tuberculin skin tests or blood tests to detect infection. Treatment for active TB requires a course of multiple antibiotics, typically for several months. Completing the full course of treatment is crucial to cure the infection and prevent the development of drug-resistant TB. Prevention strategies include vaccination (BCG vaccine, though its effectiveness varies), prompt diagnosis and treatment of infectious cases, and good ventilation in crowded spaces.