Best Tuberculosis Doctors in Chennai

Types/Stages of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis varies in its severity and manifestation. The common types include:

• Latent TB infection: TB bacteria remain inactive in the body, causing no symptoms and not being contagious. However, it can reactivate the infection later.

• Active TB disease: The TB bacteria multiply when the immune system fails, manifesting symptoms like cough, fever, and weight loss. This stage is contagious and can spread to others.

• Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB): This type is resistant to at least two of the best anti-TB medications: isoniazid and rifampicin. Requires second-line drugs like fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides

• Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB): This form shows resistance against more drugs than MDR-TB and is resistant to at least four of the core anti-TB drugs. Specifically, XDR-TB is defined as TB that is resistant to first-line drugs and at least one of the three injectable second-line drugs (capreomycin, kanamycin, or amikacin).

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

The symptoms exhibited by those afflicted with TB are generally subtle at first but worsen over time. Early recognition can lead to swift treatment, saving lives. The common symptoms include:

• Cough ( lasting three weeks or longer)

• Chest pain

• Blood or sputum in cough

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Low-grade fever

• Evening rise in temperature

Tests to Diagnose Tuberculosis

Determining whether you have TB involves various tests that can accurately diagnose the disease. These can include:

• Sputum tests: These evaluate samples of sputum under a microscope to identify TB bacteria.

• Chest X-ray: This can show white spots where the immune system has walled off TB bacteria.

• Tuberculin skin test (TST): This is a simple skin test where a small amount of fluid (tuberculin) is injected into the skin.

• Blood tests: Tests such as the interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) can detect TB infection.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Tuberculosis at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Apollo Hospitals in Chennai provides highly skilled doctors for lung infection treatment. Their specialists for tuberculosis may design a comprehensive plan, including:

• Anti-TB drugs: Patients need to take antibiotics, such as Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, and Streptomycin, daily for 4-6 months to be effective.

• MDR-TB Treatment: Apollo Hospital's specialists for drug-resistant tuberculosis are equipped to handle and treat MDR-TB using second-line drugs.

• Surgical procedures: Rarely for complicated or recurrent cases, surgical options may be considered. Apollo Hospitals houses some of the best surgeons for active tuberculosis, able to perform surgical procedures like lung resection or pleurectomy.

• Post-treatment care: The doctors at Apollo Hospitals provide post-treatment care rehabilitation to ensure patients regain their health and improve the quality of their lives.