Tuberculosis: the route of infection. Tuberculosis of the lung: signs and pathways of infection

Considering this or that disease, many people want to know the ways of infection. Tuberculosis of the lung can be picked up in several ways. The most common is through the air. This ailment was known since ancient times. So, in the remains of mummies doctors found changes that indicated the presence of tuberculosis in the body. Another common question: "Is it possible to recover from the disease?" Doctors say that with modern medicine the chances are quite high. The main rule is to turn to specialists in time. About this disease, more specifically talk in the article.

Social Illness

Until 1882, people did not know how the tuberculosis infection was occurring. The main version was the genetic predisposition of man. In those days, this ailment was a real scourge for the whole of Europe. For example, in Germany the death rate was huge (7 people per day).

Infectionist and physician Robert Koch undertook a study of the disease. Under the microscope, the pulmonary tissue of the diseased patient was studied. As a result, the scientist found out that the blame for all is the thin sticks that pass through the organ. This discovery was reported to the doctors' conference. For his unique discovery, the scientist received the Nobel Prize.

Till now doctors approve, that a tuberculosis - social illness. Suffer them, as a rule, people who are not quite normal way of life. It is distributed in places of deprivation of liberty, among the poor, alcoholics and drug addicts. This is due to a decrease in immunity and the inability of the body to fight with Koch's wand.

Cope with the disease in our days is possible. The main rule - with the first symptoms immediately go to the doctor. Only he can prescribe a cure. In any case, it will be complex.

How can I get infected?

To find out why the disease occurs, you need to know the pathways of infection. Tuberculosis of the lungs is transmitted in four ways:

1. Through the air and saliva. Perhaps this is the most common way. A person who has been diagnosed with an open form secretes sputum when talking, sneezing, or coughing. With it, bacteria spread that can live up to 1 hour in the air. In addition, there is a possibility of settling bacteria on the patient's clothing, mixing with dust. Inaccurate cleaning, shaking of clothes, carpets can in this case lead to infection.

2. Contact path. This method is less common. You can get infected through the mucous membrane and the eye. In this case, the first sign is acute conjunctivitis. There is also the possibility of getting bacteria through open wounds and cuts on the skin.

3. Infection by eating raw foods. It is worth considering the fact that not only people are affected by the disease, but also animals. Cows are carriers, so eating unboiled milk, raw meat can lead to infection. In this case, the bacteria enter the intestine, then affect the lymph nodes and only then appear in the blood of a person.

4. In utero. Such cases are extremely rare, because the placenta completely protects the fetus. But there are exceptions. In medical practice there were precedents when a newborn was infected from a sick mother.

Each person is susceptible to such a disease as pulmonary tuberculosis. The routes of infection are well known. In order not to pick up the disease, it is necessary to follow preventive measures and do vaccination on time.

In the risk zone

Ways and methods of infection with tuberculosis are well known to doctors and the public. It should be noted that children and elderly people are most at risk. As for the kids, even in the maternity home, parents are encouraged to vaccinate a child who would protect him from tuberculosis. The BCG vaccine is relatively safe, but still the consequences may be, the doctor will tell you about them. But if the baby was born full-blooded, healthy, without physical and mental deviations, it is not worth to give up vaccination. Starting from the age of 4, the child should be given the Mantoux test every year. This simple manipulation allows doctors to determine if the baby has a risk of contracting infection.

People over 55 are also at risk. Methods of infection with tuberculosis can be different. But the most common is through the air. The fact is that immunity at this age is significantly reduced. The body begins to work not so well. Many doctors recommend to undergo fluorography annually to determine the onset of the disease in time.

Whether we cure tuberculosis: the ways of infection, the first signs of the disease

It is worth remembering that if you immediately identify the disease, it can be cured. Therefore, at the first signs of the disease, you need to see a doctor. So, what should you alert:

• Weakness, fatigue, broken state.
• Increase in body temperature (not above 37.5). As a rule, it happens in the evenings.
• A small cough that does not go away from taking syrups, but on the contrary, only increases.
• Slight weight loss.
• Decreased appetite.
• Pain in the bronchi and chest.
• Sweating (especially at night).

Symptoms depend on what were the ways of infection. Tuberculosis of the lungs is a rather insidious disease. It is not always possible to recognize it immediately. Contact path of infection will be accompanied by conjunctivitis.

How to identify tuberculosis

In order to prevent the epidemic, countries are vaccinated, which protects from the stab of Koch. In addition, doctors recommend once a year to undergo a survey. For children from the age of 4 years it is Mantoux test. A special solution is injected subcutaneously, which allows to determine the reaction of the body to tuberculin. The doctor measures the place of redness where the injection was taken, with a special transparent ruler. If the norms are exceeded, the child is sent for consultation to the phthisiatrician.

For adolescents and adults, obligatory procedure should be the passage of fluorography. The dose of irradiation is minimal, therefore the process is considered absolutely harmless.

Interesting Facts

There are moments associated with the disease, which many adults do not know. Among them:

1. Possibility of contracting tuberculosis by contact.
2. Bacteria adapt well to environmental conditions.
3. Tuberculosis is not afraid of cold. Koch's wand does not die even in the cryocamera, where the temperature reaches -70 degrees.
4. The disease is resistant to many drugs, this is the main difficulty in treating the disease. To completely get rid of it, doctors offer comprehensive treatment.
5. The optimum temperature for the life of bacteria is +37 ° С.
6. Tuberculosis is curable.
7. Bacteria can live on the pages of books, in dusty premises for up to 6 months.

As you can see, coping with the disease is not easy, but it is possible thanks to new methods and technologies that are used for treatment.

Whether it is possible to get rid of an ailment

Unfortunately, recently such a disease as pulmonary tuberculosis has become widespread. Ways of infection can be different. As a rule, it happens through the air.

For many patients, it is important whether the disease is curable. Doctors give a positive evaluation. Thanks to modern methods, which are used in conjunction with medications, a terrible illness can be cured within a year and a half.

It is more difficult with children. The problem is that many drugs are banned for them. Nevertheless, in this case there are also positive aspects. Immunity of a child is much better and stronger than an adult. The most important thing is to turn to a doctor in a timely manner, and not to engage in self-medication.

Open and closed form of the disease: what's worse?

Many people ask: "How is tuberculosis transmitted?" The ways of infection can be different, it all depends on the form of the disease. Not every person who has an ailment can be a carrier. Only those who have an open form of tuberculosis are dangerous. In this case, bacteria are abundantly allocated with sputum. Doctors say that the process can be stopped, for this, the disease needs to be translated into a state of remission, close the foci of inflammation, and then actively engage in treatment.

Preventive measures

It is better to prevent the disease than to treat it. For this:

1. Strengthen immunity. Be engaged in hardening, sports.
2. Watch for food. In the diet should be present fruits, vegetables, meat, greens.
3. Do not smoke.
4. Ventilate the room (especially in kindergartens, schools).
5. A few times a week, do a wet cleaning.
6. Daily walk in nature.
7. After visiting the streets, wash with soap and hands.

Remember, TB is curable, you only need to seek medical help in a timely manner.

Adults on the note

Everyone needs to know that:

• A transporter can be a patient who has an open form of tuberculosis.
• In order to protect children from illness, it is necessary to make the BCG vaccine. Those kids who have weakened immunity, a small body weight, can be postponed or vaccinated with BCG-M vaccine.
• 100% of the protection from tuberculosis is not provided by any inoculation.
• In order to be sure that you have not touched the disease, it is necessary to undergo fluorography once a year. Children as young as 16 are better off doing the Mantoux test.
• In order to completely cure the disease, you need to apply a comprehensive treatment.
• Compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards prevents the appearance of an ailment.
• The causative agent is in every organism, but the disease is manifested in those who have decreased immunity.

Before you treat the disease, you need to know the ways of infection. Tuberculosis of the lungs is rather tricky. Symptoms do not always manifest. The banal fatigue and weakness of a person can not pay attention. Tuberculosis is curable through the use of modern methods and accurate diagnosis. Remember, at the first signs of the disease you need to see a doctor!