If a person has been diagnosed with Tuberculosis, the individual will need to exercise Tuberculosis infection control. Not doing this properly can result in the infection spreading to others and in having serious health complications and risks. It is important to note that testing is the only way to determine if a Mycobacterium Tuberculosis infection exists. This is because many infections are considered to be a latent Tuberculosis infection, meaning they do not produce any adverse symptoms in the infected person. If symptoms do occur, they can include persistent coughing; the coughing up of blood or mucus; persistent or unexplained fevers; having no appetite; unexplained weight loss; difficulty sleeping or night sweats; and generalized pain in the chest. If an individual has any of these symptoms of a Mycobacterium Tuberculosis infection, the person will need to visit a doctor as soon as possible. This is especially true if the person has been exposed to others who have an infection of Tuberculosis. The more close contact one has with infected persons, the more likely it is that the individual will develop Tuberculosis.
Those who live with a latent Tuberculosis infection for many years can do irreparable harm to their bodies and can also spread the disease on to countless others. Tuberculosis can be spread anytime the infected individual passes on contaminated droplets of air to another person. This often occurs during speaking, spitting, screaming, kissing, or by sharing food or drinks. Those who are at a high risk for contracting Tuberculosis will need to be tested regularly in addition to taking other precautions. Those who are at a high risk for Tuberculosis include individuals who have a weakened immune system due to certain medications or the presence of another illness, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS); those who suffer from diabetes; those who live or work with someone who has recently been diagnosed with Tuberculosis; those who work in the health care fields or who work with children; those who live in poor conditions or overcrowded housing areas; those who have poor health; and those who abuse drugs, alcohol, or other substances.
The good news is that Tuberculosis testing is simple and relatively painless. The patient will need to have a small and quick shot administered. After forty eight to seventy two hours, the patient will come back to the clinic or doctor who administered the test and then have the results “read.” Generally, if a person develops a raised mark around the injection site, this is usually an indication that the person has an active Tuberculosis infection. Depending on the exact situation, various treatment options will be offered. These usually include a course of antibiotics, though specialty treatments or management options may be required for those who have drug resistant forms of Tuberculosis or who have developed complications. Patients must be sure to take the entire course of antibiotics, even after they are feeling better. Properly following these steps, having regular check ups, and getting tested for Tuberculosis as often as is recommended by a physician are the best ways to prevent Tuberculosis or to exercise good Tuberculosis infection control.