Tuberculosis is a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although TB is thought of as a lung disease, it can attack other parts of the body such as the spine, kidney and brain. Left untreated, TB can be fatal. It is spread through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Once considered eradicated, TB is making a comeback, with stronger and more antibiotic-resistant strains. The chain of infection for TB has six links.

Tuberculosis is often difficult to diagnose, as symptoms may not always be present. There is a difference between being infected with tuberculosis and having the disease itself. A person who is infected with tuberculosis has the bacterium in his body, but the disease may not be active or contagious. Therefore, it is very important to seek immediate medical attention if you feel you may have been exposed to tuberculosis. Read on to learn how to test for tuberculosis.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

Many symptoms point to spinal tuberculosis, among them back pain, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, imbalance, and clumsiness and sometimes even paralysis. If any of these symptoms present themselves, you should see a doctor immediately.

How to Prevent Tuberculosis

• See your doctor. TB requires prescription medicine and diligent medical care. There is no homeopathic or over-the-counter treatment for TB.
• Take medications prescribed by your doctor. They may include rifampin, isonizad (INH), ethambutol, pyrazinmide, and other antituberculous drugs. You will need to take them for at least six months.
• Stay inside your house, except when you require outside medical care. If you must go out, wear a special breathing mask given to you by your doctor or health department.
• Understand that because TB is a communicable disease, you are required by law to stay in isolation while you are infectious. The penalty for not staying at home ranges from mandatory hospitalization to imprisonment.
• Get plenty of fresh air. Keep your windows open, or consider an air filtration system for your house. Avoid airborne irritants such as secondhand smoke, strong-smelling household cleaners and insecticides.
• Take extra vitamin B-6, as ordered by your doctor. B-6 helps the liver counteract the side effects of the antituberculous medicine.
• Eat a healthful diet rich in vitamins, minerals, calcium, protein and fiber.
• Submit to a monthly liver function test to see how your liver is metabolizing the antituberculous medication.
• Give your health care worker a sputum sample every four weeks, or as requested. The sputum will be "cultured" to determine if active TB is still present. This helps your doctor decide how long you must continue your drug therapy.

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