Pulmonary tuberculosis - signs in the early stages, symptoms, forms, treatment in adults and prevention. Tuberculosis: diagnosis, prevention, treatment How to determine that I have tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is characterized by a variety of manifestations and forms, due to which its diagnosis is complicated. However, early detection of the disease is of particular importance. The complexity of treatment, as well as the outcome, depends on this. If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage of development, there is a greater likelihood of saving the life of the patient. Diagnosis consists of several main stages: detection of symptoms, examination of the patient, conducting special studies.

At the first stage, when the patient has just asked for medical help, the doctor must detect signs of the disease. The clinical manifestations of tuberculosis include a prolonged cough, hemoptysis, fever, sweating, increased fatigue and decreased performance. It is important to pay attention to these symptoms, as they indicate the possible development of the disease. In addition, at this stage, the characteristics of the evolution of the disease should be clarified. The doctor asks the patient about whether he had contact with people who have been diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Patient examination

During a clinical examination of the patient, the doctor pays special attention to weight loss, checks the lymph nodes, violation of the amplitude of the movement of the chest during breathing. Of course, the first methods for detecting tuberculosis are not completely reliable. To verify the development of the disease, it is necessary to conduct other tests. But it is these two stages that determine the need to refer the patient for a special examination. According to them, it is already possible to approximately draw up a clinical picture and put forward an assumption about the presence of an ailment.

Special Study

If tuberculosis is suspected during the examination of the patient at the first two stages, a series of studies will be required to establish an accurate diagnosis. In adults, examination for tuberculosis provides for the mandatory passage of x-ray diagnostics. According to her pictures, it is possible to determine the presence of lesions in the lungs. If they are present, the patient is sent for an additional examination, which will reveal the form of the disease, the resistance of the infection to antibacterial drugs. Then he is given treatment.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis in children involves the Mantoux test. By her reaction, you can determine the presence of an ailment. However, this method is not completely reliable. The reaction may be false positive or false negative. If, after the Mantoux test, doctors still have a suspicion of developing an infection in the child's body, it is done again. If it also confirms the presence of a pathological process, the child is sent for additional studies to the TB dispensary.

These methods of diagnosing tuberculosis are intermediate. Some conclusions can already be drawn from them, but it is impossible to establish an accurate diagnosis. To finally verify the presence of the disease, you will need to conduct another study. It includes laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis: sputum, blood, urine tests.

X-ray examination

The most accurate diagnostic method in adults is the detection of tuberculosis by X-ray examination. In the case of the development of a pathological process, seals and blackouts will be noticeable in the pictures. As for the shadows, special attention should be paid to their number, size, shape, contours, intensity, structure, localization. In addition, the change in the lung pattern is important. Shadows can merge or have clear contours.

On x-ray images, the following degrees of damage can be determined:

• minimal (small lesions, no signs of decay);
• moderately pronounced (small changes occur, which do not exceed one lung in volume);
• pronounced (the volume of lesions is large).

Mantoux test

Detection of tuberculosis, as a rule, in children, occurs using the Mantoux test. Its essence lies in the fact that the antigens of the pathogen are injected under the skin. Thus, the Mantoux test causes a reaction if a tuberculosis infection is present in the body. In this case, the injection site swells, reddens and becomes inflamed.

Tuberculin, which is injected under the skin during the Mantoux test, is obtained from the destroyed Koch sticks.

They are the causative agent of tuberculosis. The Mantoux test is usually done in the forearm. The body recognizes tuberculin as an infection. In the case when the immune system is familiar with it, a focus of inflammation appears at the injection site.

Another option is the Pirquet test. Its essence lies in the skin application of tuberculin. This substance in itself is safe, therefore it is not capable of harming a person. But tuberculin is highly allergenic, due to which it is able to cause appropriate reactions.

Before the result of the Mantoux test is evaluated, it is forbidden to influence the injection site in every possible way. Thus, it cannot be wetted, scratched, and also lubricated with brilliant green, iodine and other antiseptic preparations. It is not recommended to apply adhesive plaster and dressings, which some parents practice, so that the child does not touch the injection site. All this can adversely affect the results and lead to an inaccurate diagnosis.

Contraindications for Mantoux

Despite the harmlessness of the Mantoux test, in some cases it is not recommended to do it. Contraindications apply to those people who suffer from skin diseases. In this case, the injection can worsen the dermatological disease, lead to its exacerbation. Do not use this method of diagnosis in the presence of infectious diseases in acute and chronic form. In this case, it is allowed to conduct a test one month after recovery. Contraindications are fevers and various allergic reactions, as well as epilepsy.

In order to avoid inaccuracies during Mantoux, it is recommended not to put it on the same day as vaccinations. Moreover, this applies to any vaccination. In the case when vaccinations were nevertheless made before the introduction of tuberculin, one should not expect results quickly. Most likely, they will be received only after six weeks. It is worth saying a few words about the main thing. Some parents mistakenly assume that the tuberculin subcutaneous test provides protection against tuberculosis by developing immunity. Such a statement is fundamentally wrong. The test is only a method of research for the presence of this disease. It is by no means a substitute for the BCG vaccine.

Sputum collection

Laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis includes the analysis of sputum, which is separated by coughing. The quality of the result largely depends on compliance with the rules during collection. There are several of them:

• sputum must be collected in a sterile container issued by a doctor specifically for this purpose;
• before collecting, it is recommended to rinse the mouth well with warm water, brush your teeth (food particles should not get into the sputum);
• the collection is performed on an empty stomach, always in the morning, since it is at this time that its accumulation is maximum;
• it is sputum that should get into the container, and not saliva (you can determine the contents by consistency and color);

When the basic preparations are completed, you can proceed to the process itself. First, two deep exhalations are made with a breath hold. After that, you should take a deep breath and exhale the air with force. Next, take a breath and cough again. The container is then brought to the mouth and the sputum is spit out into it. The container must be immediately closed with a lid. If the contents are not separated when coughing, you should tap your fist on the chest. Another option is inhalation over hot water, to which a spoonful of baking soda is added.

Sputum examination

First, the sputum culture is closely examined. If a person has tuberculosis, he may have blood streaks in the mucus that is coughed up. Then a bacterioscopic examination is carried out - the stained sowing is examined under a microscope. By smears, you can determine the presence of infection in the body in adults and children. Sowing may contain elastic or coral fibers, lime particles. To identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis, sputum is subjected to repeated examination. Sometimes an x-ray examination does not show pathological processes occurring in the lungs, and sowing indicates their presence.

The essence of the bacteriological method is that the test material is sown on nutrient media. Before this, the sputum is processed to prevent the growth of non-specific microflora. Sowing is performed on a solid, liquid or semi-liquid nutrient medium. Sometimes mycobacteria, which are determined by this analysis, do not grow under these conditions. The reason for this is the loss of the ability to reproduce, which occurred under the influence of drugs.

In addition, a biological method is used to study sputum for tuberculosis - its essence is to infect animals with the mucous contents of the patient's lungs. For this, guinea pigs are usually used, which express high sensitivity to the mycobacteria of this disease.

Until recently, the bacteriological method was considered the most reliable, but scientists have found that mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is contained in sputum culture, can grow on nutrient media, but does not affect animals in any way. It's all about losing the ability to infect. Thus, in order to obtain a reliable result, it is recommended to examine the sowing by several methods.

Bronchoscopy

If it is not possible to collect sputum on your own, bronchoscopy is used. The essence of the method is the use of a special device called a bronchoscope, which enters the bronchi through the oral or nasal cavity. Such a study is carried out on an empty stomach. This prevents food particles from entering the respiratory tract if coughing or vomiting occurs.

Before conducting the study, the patient is examined by a doctor. If necessary, sedatives will be prescribed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in adults and general anesthesia in children.

Blood test

How to recognize tuberculosis by the patient's blood? With the defeat of this disease, small changes occur in it. In patients with a common pathological process, as well as severe intoxication, anemia is determined. With exacerbations of the disease, the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) increases. At the same time, the number of leukocytes changes, which is also facilitated by the decay of lung tissue.

A biochemical blood test shows a high content of protein, uric acid, cholesterol, and copper. It is worth noting that all these indicators do not necessarily indicate tuberculosis. It is possible that another infectious disease develops in the body. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis.

Urinalysis

Urinalysis is usually unable to detect TB in adults and children. A more accurate diagnostic method is sputum culture or Mantoux test. But to draw up a complete picture, it is necessary to conduct it. Sometimes a urinalysis reveals quite serious complications. If the kidneys are affected, a large amount of protein, erythrocytes, leukocytes is determined.

Diaskintest

This diagnostic method is new. It allows you to accurately determine tuberculosis, as well as to check the effectiveness of the therapy. The essence of the method is to assess the body's response to two types of proteins that are present only in the Koch rod. An injection is performed, and then the result is checked. If the redness at the injection site has spread to 5 mm or more, the test is considered positive. This means that the examined patient is infected.

In recent years, the incidence of tuberculosis has been on the rise.

In this regard, it is worth thinking about the means of protection against such a dangerous disease. Every person, starting from the age of 18, must undergo an annual medical examination with x-rays. Only in this way it becomes possible to detect tuberculosis in the early stages of development, as well as timely treatment. If there are suspicions of the presence of the disease, it is urgent to consult a doctor, pass all the necessary tests (sputum culture, blood, urine). When prescribing treatment, you should not interrupt it, as this threatens with negative consequences. Tuberculosis is a dangerous disease, it can lead to death.

Tuberculosis is a terrible disease, only those people who lead an antisocial lifestyle, eat poorly, do not have a permanent place of residence, and so on can become infected with it.

A prosperous person, this disease will never touch. These are the thoughts of many people. Is it so? Let's figure out what kind of disease this is and how to identify it.

Tuberculosis is, first of all, an infectious disease that can be caused by different types of microbacteria, most often Koch's bacillus.

Is tuberculosis contagious? - Yes, this disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. When coughing, spitting or sneezing, an infected person releases germs into the air.

From this we can conclude that any person can become infected with tuberculosis, regardless of his well-being, financial situation or status in society.

Yes, of course, an asocial way of life contributes to this disease, but is not a single factor.

Moreover, an infected person may not even know that he already has tuberculosis, continue to go to work, use public transport. That is why it is very important to know and be able to identify the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis at an early stage.

It is very difficult to make a diagnosis of tuberculosis at the initial stage, since the symptoms are very similar to the usual SARS or may even be asymptomatic, that is, symptoms are not detected.

Here, just the same, plays an important role, the lifestyle of a particular person, the state of his immune system. These factors affect the detection of tuberculosis in an adult, making it quite difficult.

So all the same, how to identify tuberculosis, if it is clearly not manifested in any way, what signs should you pay attention to?

Signs of tuberculosis:

• weakness, rapid quenching.
• flu or SARS symptoms.
• loss of appetite, weight loss.
• slight increase in body temperature (37.2-37.5)
• cough for 3 weeks or more (immediately dry and infrequent, eventually wet and persistent)
• headaches, swollen lymph nodes.

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially 2 or more, then this is a reason to seek medical help.

In a medical institution, after a series of examinations, you will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and receive immediate treatment.

It is very important to know that tuberculosis can affect not only the lungs, but also other organs: bones, brain, kidneys.

There are several stages of tuberculosis:

1. primary infection. At this stage, as a rule, a person feels well, sometimes there may be signs of malaise. Inflammation at this stage, local, affects those areas that are affected by microorganisms
2. stage of latent infection. If a person has a weakened immune system, then the infection begins to spread and create foci of inflammation in other organs.
3. Recurrent tuberculosis of the adult type. This stage is characterized by the defeat of many organs, most often the lungs. The general well-being of the patient worsens. Cavities can form on the lungs, when they enter the bronchi, tuberculosis becomes open.

Also, there are 2 forms of tuberculosis: open and closed.

An open form of tuberculosis is considered the most severe and dangerous. With an open form, bacteria can be detected in the sputum, urine, feces of the patient. The person becomes contagious.

The general condition of the patient worsens, constant fatigue appears, body temperature rises from time to time, and also, most often, hemoptysis is present.

The closed form of tuberculosis is a form in which microorganisms are already present in the human body, but are not active.

With the closed form, the person is not contagious, usually feels well and may not be aware of the presence of tuberculosis in himself.

Also, it is possible to determine some phases of the development of tuberculosis, namely:

• infiltration, decay, seeding;
• resorption, compaction, scarring, calcification.

These phases help determine the stage of activity of tuberculous changes and view the dynamics of its reverse development, that is, recovery.

How exactly can this disease be diagnosed?

First of all, you need to consult a specialized doctor. In polyclinics, this is a general practitioner / pediatrician. In TB dispensaries, these are pulmonologists and phthisiatricians.

The doctor will conduct a general examination and, if necessary, send for further diagnostics.

There are several diagnostic methods.

• Tuberculin diagnostics;
• X-ray examination;
• Linked immunosorbent assay.

Tuberculin diagnostics is a diagnosis of children and adolescents, which is performed annually, from the age of one.

The principle of action is quite simple, the child is injected under the skin with a special solution, tuberculin (tuberculosis allergen) to detect an immune response.

On the third day, the result is evaluated. The health worker measures the diameter of the reaction (papules - redness, swelling around the injection site). Based on this result, we can talk about the adequacy or inadequacy of the immune response.

X-ray examination is a fluorography or x-ray of the lungs. Consider each method separately and find out what is the difference between these methods.

Fluorography is photographing from a fluorescent (X-ray) screen the image that appears on it as a result of the passage of X-rays through the human body.

The peculiarity is that fluorography gives a reduced image of a part of the body. Doctors advise to conduct this study at least once a year. This allows you to identify the disease at an early stage.

X-ray of the lungs is considered a more complex and more informative type of diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

In fact, this is the same picture as with fluorography, but it is larger, which means that even small foci of inflammation can be seen on it.

Also, this method is based on illumination (color change) of certain sections of the film. It also gives more accurate results.

Microbiological diagnostics is considered the most effective and informative method for detecting tuberculosis at an early stage.

Most often, 2 methods of microbiological diagnostics are used: microscopy and bacteriological examination of sputum.

The advantages of these studies are that they allow us to assess the degree of contagiousness and the effectiveness of treatment.

For this method, the patient needs to collect sputum, which is released when coughing, in a dry, clean container, close the lid.

Sputum is collected within 2 days, at least there should be 3 servings obtained at different times of the day. Then, as soon as possible, take the collected material to the laboratory.

Enzyme immunoassay is a blood test that can determine the presence of tubercle bacillus in the body.

This method is used more as an additional study, or for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis.

If, after carrying out these diagnostic methods, a person is diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, an obvious question pops up in the head.

How to treat and how long is pulmonary tuberculosis treated?

If tuberculosis is recognized and diagnosed in time, then it can be treated quite well. Yes, it is not an easy or quick cure.

In this case, the main thing is to comply with the treatment regimen, not to skip the medication, to bring the treatment to the end.

Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment can last up to 2 years. If you follow all the rules and recommendations of the attending physician, then the treatment lasts, on average, about a year.

The main method of therapy is medication. The patient is prescribed, at the same time, taking several drugs that act differently on the causative agent of the disease.

Since the drugs are quite serious, it is better to carry out treatment in a hospital, in an anti-tuberculosis dispensary.

To improve the results, in addition to drug therapy, the patient is offered measures to raise general immunity: breathing exercises, physiotherapy, vitamin therapy, physiotherapy exercises, proper nutrition.

In extreme cases, surgical intervention is used (removal of part of the affected lung).

In other cases, tuberculosis passes into the chronic stage, and this patient poses a danger to others, as he releases microorganisms into the air.

Prevention

The main prevention of tuberculosis is the annual fluorography for adults and the Mantoux reaction in children and adolescents.

Also, vaccination of newborns is carried out, 3-6 days after birth (BCG).

Not a small role in the prevention of this disease, plays a healthy lifestyle.

Despite the achievements of modern medicine, pulmonary tuberculosis in the adult population remains a dangerous and active disease.

In Russia, consumption was incurable, not only ordinary people died from it, but also celebrities: Belinsky, Chekhov, Dzerzhinsky. In our time, the disease is successfully treated if the infected person consults a doctor in a timely manner.

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Who gets pulmonary tuberculosis?

Symptoms in the early stages of the disease

1. Profuse perspiration at night. The next morning, a person wakes up literally wet.
2. Regular increase in evening.
3. Unproductive cough without expectoration.
4. Increased fatigue even with light exertion and normal sleep patterns.
5. Decreased appetite.
6. Headache.

In addition to the listed main symptoms of the early stage, an adult may also experience other signs: tachycardia, enlarged lymph nodes, liver, wheezing and whistling in the lungs.

Later it joins the cough, sometimes with blood.

What to do if you suspect tuberculosis?

You really need to worry if the above symptoms persist for more than three weeks.

It is necessary to visit a local doctor who will write out a referral for general tests and fluorography. True, this study does not always show the presence of tuberculosis in the lungs, especially at an early stage, if the foci are located in the tops, closer to the back.

General analyzes will show:

• Increased ESR;
• high levels of protein in the urine;
• leukocytosis;
• decrease in the content of lymphocytes.

One-stage rapid tests are an affordable and fast method for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis at an early stage. They are sold online and in pharmacies.

In special cases, an adult is done - a traditional method for diagnosing tuberculosis, which is already more than 50 years old. This is necessary when in contact with a sick person or to determine. Tuberculin, which contains non-dangerous tuberculosis bacteria, is injected into the skin of the forearm. If after three days there is no trace left at the injection site, then the result is negative.

In people who have been infected in the past or present, there are pronounced signs in the form of redness and swelling.

A more universal and sensitive method for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis in the early stages is. This is a modern version of Mantou.

However, DST and the Mantoux test cannot be performed with exacerbation of chronic diseases, skin diseases, allergic reactions and intolerance to tuberculin.

An alternative method in such a situation is to determine the immune response in the blood in the presence of mycobacteria. Since the test is carried out not inside the human body, but in the blood taken from him, the test has no adverse reactions and contraindications.

In modern clinics, diagnostics are carried out using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It quickly detects fragments of tuberculosis bacillus DNA in the early stages. This is an expensive method that requires a highly qualified doctor.

Determination of the form and stage of the disease

A common method for diagnosing a form of pulmonary tuberculosis is X-ray tomography (fluorography), a more accurate method is computed tomography.

In the complex of diagnostic measures, it may be necessary to carry out bacterial culture of sputum. Growing microbes contained in sputum in nutrient media allows you to determine the sensitivity of the bacillus to antibiotics and prescribe a highly effective therapy.

A common diagnostic method is multiple sputum collection in a TB dispensary. A sputum smear is taken from the patient when coughing, placed on glass, a substance is added and examined under a microscope. If it is possible to detect Koch's wand, this indicates an open form of pulmonary tuberculosis. This analysis will take approximately 3 months.

Precautions and Prevention

The first thing to do if you suspect pulmonary tuberculosis is to protect your loved ones. Use only personal hygiene items. Separately from others, wash your own linen and wash dishes.

When a closed form of the disease is detected in the early stages, it is important to prevent its transition to an open one, in which pulmonary tuberculosis becomes contagious.

To prevent the appearance and development of tuberculosis, it is necessary:

• Carry out an annual fluorographic examination;
• people at risk, increase immunity, take immunomodulators;
• observe a rational diet, work and rest;
• to refuse from bad habits;
• pay close attention to your well-being, listen to your body.

An excellent natural stimulant of immunity are bee products - honeycombs, honey, perga, pollen.

Tuberculosis is not to be trifled with. More people die from it than from any other infection. Treatment of this disease, even in the early stages, is long and difficult for the body, combining several drugs. Treatment will require a lot of time and effort from a person. Therefore, it is important not to start, and ideally, to keep the disease out!

The complexity and duration of treatment, the high risk of infection bring tuberculosis to one of the leading places in the world in terms of the number of infected people. A pulmonologist explains the ways of infection with tuberculosis and preventive measures.

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Tuberculosis is a serious disease with a fairly high mortality rate. A significant role in this is played not only by its prevalence, but also by the fact that the disease can develop asymptomatically for a significant time. That's why it's important to know how to detect tuberculosis at an early stage.

Pulmonary tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of mycobacteria that affects the organs of the respiratory system. In various cases, other organs and systems of the body may be affected by inflammation.

The danger of the disease is determined by the following criteria:

• Hidden flow. The first symptoms can manifest themselves only over time, and moreover, they may not cause concern, because they do not have a pronounced character;
• Mycobacteria of the species mycobacteriatuberculosis have a high level of viability, easily spread in various environmental conditions;
• The causative agents of the disease can acquire resistance to drugs in a short time, which makes the course of treatment very difficult.
  The disease, depending on the location of the pathogen, has two main forms:
• Pulmonary;
• Extrapulmonary.

The first type accounts for more than ninety percent of cases.

Symptoms of tuberculosis at an early stage

The symptoms of the disease are gradual in nature. And if at the first stage, when there is a direct infection of the body and the reproduction of bacteria, signs of tuberculosis may be completely absent, then at the second stage, known as the “hidden”, certain symptoms of the manifestation of the disease can be noticed.

Among them are the following:

• Deterioration of well-being in the form of weakness of the body. There is a loss of strength, and fatigue occurs much earlier than usual;
• Weight loss. This phenomenon occurs without concomitant reasons, such as diet or exercise;
• Excessive sweating;
• Feeling of nausea.

Such disturbances in the functioning of the body are often not taken seriously by people, since they are very similar to the course of the common ARVI. For this reason, the manifestation of such symptoms, especially in combination and for more than two to three weeks, should raise doubts and the need to visit a doctor. Primary indicators also include headaches and enlarged lymph nodes.

With a longer development of the inflammatory process in the body, the following symptoms are added to these symptoms:

• Cough. It can be either wet with sputum or dry;
• Visualization of particles in sputum;
• Pain in the chest area.

The most dangerous and indisputable sign of tuberculosis is the discharge of blood along with coughing and pulmonary bleeding.

As soon as the pathogen enters the body, the immune system tries to suppress it. But, if for some reason the human immunity is in a weakened state and is unable to resist the bacteria, the development of the inflammatory process begins. Transmission of the disease is possible even at home.

How can you get tuberculosis

The main ways of infection include:

• Airborne. Getting into the air as a result of coughing, pathogens can remain infectious for a long time;
• Food. Tuberculosis can affect not only the human body, but also the animal. If contaminated meat or other animal product was eaten, the likelihood of infection is very high;
• Contact. A very extensive route of infection, which includes kissing, sexual intercourse with the owner of tuberculosis, and even the use of his personal belongings, such as dishes. This category also includes the risk of infection as a result of caring for sick pets;
• From mother to child. The risk of intrauterine infection of a child from a sick mother is quite high, but not one hundred percent. It will be possible to diagnose the disease in a baby only after his birth.

The absolute leader in the transmission of the disease at all times has been and remains the airborne route. If a person has doubts about possible contact with a carrier of the disease, then he should think about how to determine the symptoms of tuberculosis.

Diagnostic methods

Treatment for tuberculosis is mandatory. Otherwise, death is possible. Late diagnosis of an already active inflammatory process can lead to a similar result.

For the early detection of tuberculosis in children, the well-known Mantoux test is performed. It is often carried out directly in schools and kindergartens. With a positive test, the child is additionally examined by a doctor to confirm or refute the diagnosis.

The first suspicion of developing tuberculosis in adults can be identified by a doctor by auscultation. For a more accurate diagnosis of the disease, methods such as fluorography and sputum culture are used.

This method allows you to get reliable results in a short time. For the purpose of early diagnosis of the disease, every adult is recommended to undergo the procedure at least once a year. The picture taken by the device allows you to clearly see the foci of tuberculosis in the event that they exist.

Fluorography is the most common and effective way to diagnose tuberculosis.

This is a fairly convenient diagnostic option, and for this reason it is most often used when it is necessary to provide a certificate of the absence of tuberculosis to various authorities or when applying for a job.

Sputum culture

Perhaps not the most convenient method for diagnosing tuberculosis. But he plays another important role in this matter. In the case of a confirmed diagnosis, sputum culture reveals a strain of mycobacterium. It is these data that will allow you to choose drugs that can be effective in combating the pathogen.

The social lifestyle of a person always carries the threat of infection with certain types of disease. Tuberculosis is of particular concern. But if you follow the recommendations for the regular diagnosis of this dangerous disease, you can be sure of your advantages over it.

Tuberculosis is considered a hidden disease. It is this factor that makes it especially dangerous for humans. Pathological disorders can affect patients of any age and gender. Timely diagnosis of tuberculosis is especially important. How to determine tuberculosis, we will consider in this article.

Indications for diagnostics

A particular danger of pathology lies in the fact that in the early stages of its development it does not show any signs of being present in the body. Despite the fact that symptomatic manifestations are not clearly expressed, the progression of the pathological process is actively carried out. How to detect tuberculosis? How to understand if a person has tuberculosis or not?

The first thing to do is evaluate the symptoms that appear:

• dry cough that has a long effect;
• in the process of expectoration, the release of sputum masses is not excluded;
• the presence of wheezing;
• stable increase in body temperature;
• pallor of the skin of the face and a tired appearance of the patient;
• loss of appetite and, as a result, weight loss of the patient;
• shortness of breath with accompanying pain manifestations in the side;
• excessive sweating.

Testing for tuberculosis in women is necessary after detecting menstrual irregularities, persistent headaches, diagnosing inflammatory processes in the bladder (cystitis) and the presence of bloody inclusions in the urine.

How to get tested for tuberculosis? Carrying out diagnostic measures requires new capabilities so that a complete and general examination for tuberculosis of a patient can be carried out. This is especially true for people belonging to the so-called risk group. Patients with a predisposition to tuberculosis disease include patients with a confirmed diagnosis of AIDS and HIV, people suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, those who have consistently high blood sugar levels, and bronchial asthma. No less important is the hereditary predisposition of a person.

It is important to conduct a survey of newborn patients, provided that the mother is infected, as well as elderly people. How to detect tuberculosis? Currently, another category of patients is known - prisoners. They often become carriers of this disease. Disease detection activities will help prevent infection of healthy people after the patient is released.

Varieties of diagnostic measures

Laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis implies the obligatory implementation of all instructions of the attending physician. The beginning of diagnostic studies consists in examining the patient and identifying the symptoms that manifest. After the appearance of assumptions about the presence of tuberculosis in a patient, he is sent for a follow-up examination, which can subsequently make it possible to make a reliable conclusion.

There is a so-called special survey. Early diagnosis of tuberculosis in adults implies the mandatory passage of x-rays. On the obtained images, it is possible to identify foci of tuberculous pathology in the lung area. If such violations are detected, the patient is sent for additional measures that contribute to the identification of the form of the disease.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis in children involves taking a Mantoux test. Depending on the reaction received, a subsequent detection of tuberculosis is carried out and a final diagnosis is made. It should be noted that this method is not the most reliable, as the results may be false. That is why, if there is a suspicion of the presence of an infection in the body of a child, the reaction is repeated. If an infection is detected, the patient is sent for further diagnosis. Radiation diagnosis of tuberculosis is especially relevant in this matter.

All of the above methods are considered intermediate, but they make it possible to draw certain conclusions regarding the disease. To make a final conclusion, additional studies are required, the so-called differential diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Let's consider the most common of them.

1. Radiography. X-ray diagnostics of tuberculosis is read as the most reliable method for detecting a pathological process. With a positive diagnosis, dark seals will be detected on the image. In this situation, it is important to pay special attention to their number, size, shape, contour and location on the area of ​​​​the internal organ. Among the degrees of damage, the following are revealed:

• minimal - characterized by minor affected areas, signs of decay are not observed;
• moderately pronounced - minimal changes are possible, the volume of which does not exceed the size of one lung;
• expressed - the volume of the lesion is significant.

Regardless of the nature of the changes presented in the picture, the patient is referred for subsequent methods for detecting tuberculosis.

1. Mantoux test. The method is most suitable for pediatric patients. The procedure involves the introduction of antigens of the causative agent of tuberculosis under the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin (obtained as a result of the destruction of Koch's sticks). After that, a reaction is provoked in the body in the presence of Koch's sticks in the body. In this case, the puncture site swells significantly, has a red tint, and signs of an inflammatory process appear. There is also a Pirque test. It is an application to the skin of tuberculin. Due to the presence of an increased allergenicity in a substance, the body gives an appropriate reaction.

The Mantoux test has a number of contraindications. This is especially true for patients diagnosed with skin diseases, since the reaction can provoke a deterioration and exacerbation of the pathological process. In addition, it is forbidden to carry out the procedure if a patient has a feverish condition, allergic reactions of the body and epilepsy.

1. Sputum examination. Material for further study is released in the process of coughing. In the process of sampling, certain rules must be followed. First of all, the material must be collected in a special sterile container. Immediately before sampling, the patient must rinse the mouth with warm water, brush his teeth to exclude the possibility of food elements entering the analysis. The procedure is carried out in the morning and on an empty stomach, since during this period the accumulation of sputum will be maximum.

The very procedure of study at the initial stage is a consideration of the appearance. In the presence of tuberculosis, it may contain blood streaks. The material is then examined under a microscope. The biological method of study is often used, which is characterized by the process of infection of animals (mainly guinea pigs).

1. Bronchoscopy for pulmonary tuberculosis is used when it is not possible to collect material for research on your own. For the procedure, a special device is used that enters the bronchial region through the nasal or oral cavity. Before the procedure, if necessary, the patient may be prescribed a sedative medication.
2. Blood study. With a positive diagnosis, when studying blood cells, anemia is detected, in the process of exacerbation of the pathology, the level of ESR increases. At the same time, there is an increase in the number of leukocytes due to the breakdown of lung tissue. It is important to carry out the diagnosis of tuberculosis in a complex, since a change in the parameters of urine characteristics may not always indicate the presence of tuberculosis in a patient.
3. Urine study. The use of microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis is carried out to establish a complete diagnostic picture. In addition, this method makes it possible to establish the presence of serious complications.

There are modern methods for diagnosing tuberculosis. Relatively recently, another method for determining tuberculosis was revealed. It has the name Diaskintest. The system helps not only to detect the presence of infection in the body, but also to determine the effectiveness of the therapy used. Of particular paramount importance is the immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis.

In severe forms of the disease, an anti-tuberculosis technique called valvular bronchoblocking is used. It involves the installation of a valve through the use of anesthesia. The reliability of fastening is checked by coughing the patient. The removal process is carried out in a similar way.

Another method of diagnosis is fibrobronchoscopy. The method is considered sparing and is better tolerated by patients. The system makes it possible not only to study the condition of the bronchi, but also to save the information obtained during the study on a digital medium. The procedure is performed on an empty stomach, the patient is located on the surface of the couch in the supine position. The study process allows the collection of bronchial secretions through suction.

Procedures have certain contraindications. The main ones include pulmonary bleeding, asthma attacks, the presence of foreign bodies, severe respiratory failure. Additional reasons for the ban include ischemic heart disease, epileptic seizures and impaired blood clotting.

Currently, the incidence of tuberculosis is increasing significantly. For this reason, it is important to carry out diagnostic measures in a timely manner, especially if patients in childhood are affected by the pathological process. Thanks to the main methods for detecting tuberculosis, it becomes possible to form an effective therapy. All available techniques make it possible to detect negative changes in the body in the early stages of the development of the disease. That is why early detection of tuberculosis is important.