Health Alert: TB can occur not only in the lungs but also in the heart, kidneys, and bones; know how to identify them...

Tuberculosis (TB) has been a serious health challenge globally. Its cases in India are also increasing the pressure on the health sector. TB is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. It mainly affects the lungs. Through innovation in the medical field and effective treatment, TB is now treatable and you can easily recover from it, however, if the symptoms are not taken care of and the TB infection increases, it can also be fatal.

The Government of India had set a target to make the country TB-free by the year 2025, however, the way the cases of this disease have increased in the last few years has not only hindered this goal but has also increased the challenges of health experts.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB remains a major cause of death globally, especially in areas where health facilities are limited. World TB Day is celebrated every year on 24 March to raise awareness about TB disease and alert people about its prevention. This day is also special because on this date in the year 1882, Dr. Robert Koch informed about the discovery of the bacteria that causes TB.

Although TB has been considered a lung disease, do you know that it can also affect many other parts of the body?

Tuberculosis and problems caused by it

In a conversation with Amar Ujala, Dr. Renu Soni, Consultant Pulmonologist at Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), says, that TB spreads mainly through airborne infection. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets containing bacteria spread in the air, which can enter the bodies of other people.

These bacteria attack the lungs. If it is not treated in time, it can spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system, this is called extra-pulmonary TB.

Health experts say that apart from the lungs, TB can also affect the brain, bones and joints, kidneys and intestines as well as the heart.

Problems in the brain (meningeal TB)

When TB affects the membranes (meninges) of the brain, it is called tuberculous meningitis. This is the most serious form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.

In this, the bacteria reaches the meninges through the bloodstream from the lungs (where TB usually starts).

This can cause fever, headache, and stiffness in the neck along with confusion.

The patient may also have nausea and vomiting and in some cases seizures or coma.
If it is not treated on time, the risk of death due to this increases significantly.

TB in the bones

Along with the brain, some people can also get TB infection in the bones and joints. This is also known as tuberculous osteomyelitis.

In some people, the bacteria reach the bones and joints through the lungs.

It can affect any bone or joint.

In some people, its cases are also seen in the spine.

This TB can cause pain in the affected bone or joint along with swelling and risk of bone deformity.

TB in the kidneys (renal TB)

TB infection can also occur in your kidneys. The infection also reaches your kidneys through the lungs. Cases of TB in the kidneys have been seen very rarely. However, if it is not identified and treated on time, it can cause serious complications.

People with a weakened immune system such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or people with other diseases are at a higher risk of developing kidney TB.

In this type of TB, problems like blood in urine, frequent urination, or painful urination are more common.

In some cases, no symptoms of this type of TB are seen, which makes its early diagnosis difficult.

Risk of TB in the heart

TB can affect the heart like other organs. In such rare cases, conditions like myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) can occur. This type of TB can cause symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

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