Individuals usually ask is tuberculosis contagious? You will find two answers to this question. Before arriving at the answers, we have to first find out what tuberculosis actually is.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacteria that caus the disease widely known as ‘TB’ or tuberculosis. This disease affects not just the lungs but even the other areas of the body like the central nervous system, circulatory system, lymphatic system, gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, joints, bones and sometimes even our skin.
So is tuberculosis contagious? Yes, it sometimes is, since it is airborne and may be passed on once an infected individual or an individual suffering from TB spits or coughs, sneezes or talks, and in doing so discharging and releasing drops of bacteria in the air and dispersing it in the open public. Individuals who have a poor immune system are generally more susceptible to catching TB infection. A few of the most typical Tuberculosis symptoms include weight loss, fever, bad cough, and fatigue. Tuberculosis is classified as either pulmonary tuberculosis or extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. The contagiousness of the condition would depend on the type of TB the person is suffering from.
Is Tuberculosis Contagious? YES, For Primary Tuberculosis
When finding out, “is tuberculosis contagious” if the person has a primary tuberculosis, the answer to that would be a “yes.” The different types of Primary Tuberculosis are the following.
Tuberculosis Pleurisy: This kind of tuberculosis could be developed in just a brief time from acquiring the infected bacteria. Tuberculosis Pleurisy normally ruptures the space between the lungs and chest wall known as the pleural space of the granuloma. A low-fever, shortness of breath and seizure-like chest pains are some of the usual symptoms of this type of tuberculosis. Yes, this type of tuberculosis is transmittable.
Primary Tuberculosis Pneumonia: This is a highly contagious disease however it is a rare case of TB. Primary tuberculosis pneumonia is comparable to pneumonia because of its symptoms and presentation. Like stated earlier, people who have poor immune systems are highly susceptible to being infected by primary tuberculosis. Those people including the patients that have illnesses like HIV/AIDS, children and older people and the like may also be vulnerable to being infected by primary tuberculosis. Typical symptoms include high fever and cough with or without blood.
Miliary Tuberculosis: This type of tuberculosis might require multiple chest x-rays before being properly diagnosed. Frequent symptoms are sweating, high fever, and gradual weight loss. Possible death may also take place if left unattended.
Cavitary Tuberculosis: This highly contagious tuberculosis can cause severe damage to the upper lobes of the lungs by forming large cavities within it. Cavitary Tuberculosis is also capable of producing a highly-oxygenated environment in order to draw in military tuberculosis to disperse and infect the lungs. The bacteria may possibly disperse to the pleural space thus increasing problems to the individual. Usual symptoms may include chronic cough with or without blood, low to high fever, weight loss, fatigue and night sweats.
Is Tuberculosis Contagious? NO, For Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis
If asking “is tuberculosis contagious” and the individual is diagnosed to have Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis, the answer to that will be a “no.” Non-contagious types of tuberculosis include lymph node disease, adrenal tuberculosis, osteal tuberculosis, peritonitis tuberculosis, and tuberculosis meningitis.
Lymph node disease affects the lymph nodes which make it increased and can therefore cause damage to the skin. Adrenal tuberculosis affects the adrenal gland that is in charge of hormone production that could result in a few more conditions and consequences. peritonitis tuberculosis affects the intestinal tract’s outer lining and can result in intense pain in his/her stomach.Tuberculosis meningitis strikes those who have experienced a stroke or brain tumor- it isn’t contagious but is very deadly. Ultimately, osteal tuberculosis affects bones and ruptures tissues thus creating fracture to the bones.
So, the answer to the question, is tuberculosis contagious is actually YES and NO. It all depends on the type of TB that an individual has contracted. As the saying goes, “Prevention has always been better than cure”, that means, it is best to visit your medical professional right away if you have any of the symptoms of TB in the list above
Stewart Suttles is an experienced patient who publishes health and wellness articles regarding problems such as “is tuberculosis contagious?” in both adults and children.