Miliary tuberculosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious | Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) is a [[contagious]] [[bacteria]]l infection that has spread from the lungs to other parts of the body through the blood or [[lymph]] system. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Miliary tuberculosis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Miliary tuberculosis?== | ||
Disseminated tuberculosis can affect many different body areas. Symptoms can include: | Disseminated tuberculosis can affect many different body areas. Symptoms can include: | ||
*Cough | *[[Cough]] | ||
*Fatigue | *[[Fatigue]] | ||
*Fever | *[[Fever]] | ||
*General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise) | *General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling ([[malaise]]) | ||
*Shortness of breath | *Shortness of breath | ||
*Sweating | *Sweating | ||
*Weight loss | *[[Weight loss]] | ||
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease: | Other symptoms that can occur with this disease: | ||
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*Abdominal swelling | *Abdominal swelling | ||
* | *[[Chill]]s | ||
*Joint pain | *Joint pain | ||
*Pale skin due to anemia (pallor) | *Pale skin due to [[anemia]] (pallor) | ||
*Swollen glands | *Swollen glands | ||
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==What causes Miliary tuberculosis?== | ==What causes Miliary tuberculosis?== | ||
Tuberculosis (TB) infection can develop after inhaling droplets sprayed into the air from a cough or sneeze by someone infected with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Small areas of infection, called | Tuberculosis (TB) infection can develop after inhaling droplets sprayed into the air from a cough or sneeze by someone infected with the [[Mycobacterium tuberculosis]] bacteria. Small areas of [[infection]], called [[granuloma]]s (granular [[tumor]]s), develop in the lungs. | ||
The usual site of TB is the lungs, but other organs can be involved. In the U.S., most people with primary tuberculous get better and have no further evidence of disease. Disseminated TB develops in the small number of infected people whose immune systems do not successfully contain the primary infection. | The usual site of TB is the lungs, but other organs can be involved. In the U.S., most people with primary tuberculous get better and have no further evidence of disease. Disseminated TB develops in the small number of infected people whose [[immune]] systems do not successfully contain the primary infection. | ||
Disseminated disease can occur within weeks of the primary infection. Sometimes, it does not occur until years after you become infected. You are more likely to get this type of TB if you have a weaken immune system due to disease (such as AIDS) or certain medications. Infants and the elderly are also at higher risk. | Disseminated disease can occur within weeks of the primary infection. Sometimes, it does not occur until years after you become infected. You are more likely to get this type of TB if you have a weaken immune system due to disease (such as AIDS) or certain medications. Infants and the elderly are also at higher risk. | ||
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*Have poor nutrition | *Have poor nutrition | ||
TB has become more common in the U.S. in recent years. This may be due to a larger number of TB infections in people with AIDS and HIV, an increase in the number of immune-suppressing medications, and increasing numbers of homeless people. A rise in drug-resistant strains of TB bacteria also plays a role. | TB has become more common in the U.S. in recent years. This may be due to a larger number of TB infections in people with [[AIDS]] and [[HIV]], an increase in the number of immune-suppressing medications, and increasing numbers of homeless people. A rise in drug-resistant strains of TB bacteria also plays a role. | ||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
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A physical exam may show: | A physical exam may show: | ||
*Swollen liver | *Swollen [[liver]] | ||
*Swollen lymph | *Swollen [[lymph node]]s | ||
*Swollen spleen | *Swollen [[spleen]] | ||
Tests for TB include: | Tests for TB include: | ||
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*Biopsies and cultures of affected organs or tissues | *Biopsies and cultures of affected organs or tissues | ||
*Bronchoscopy for biopsy or culture | *[[Bronchoscopy]] for biopsy or culture | ||
*Chest x-ray | *Chest x-ray | ||
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*CT scan of the affected area | *CT scan of the affected area | ||
*Fundoscopy may reveal | *[[Fundoscopy]] may reveal [[retina]]l lesions | ||
*Lung biopsy | *Lung [[biopsy]] | ||
*Mycobacterial culture of bone marrow or blood | *Mycobacterial culture of [[bone marrow]] or blood | ||
* | *[[Pleura]]l biopsy | ||
*Sputum cultures | *Sputum cultures | ||
*Tuberculin skin test | *[[Tuberculin skin test]] | ||
This list may not be all-inclusive. | This list may not be all-inclusive. | ||
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*Peripheral blood smear | *Peripheral blood smear | ||
*Blood calcium level | *Blood [[calcium]] level | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
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[[Category:Infectious disease patient information]] | [[Category:Infectious disease patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Infectious disease]] | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} |
Revision as of 14:44, 21 November 2012
Miliary tuberculosis |
Miliary tuberculosis On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:
Overview
Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that has spread from the lungs to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system.
What are the symptoms of Miliary tuberculosis?
Disseminated tuberculosis can affect many different body areas. Symptoms can include:
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Weight loss
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
- Abdominal swelling
- Joint pain
- Pale skin due to anemia (pallor)
- Swollen glands
Note: The symptoms will depend upon the affected areas of the body.
What causes Miliary tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) infection can develop after inhaling droplets sprayed into the air from a cough or sneeze by someone infected with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. Small areas of infection, called granulomas (granular tumors), develop in the lungs.
The usual site of TB is the lungs, but other organs can be involved. In the U.S., most people with primary tuberculous get better and have no further evidence of disease. Disseminated TB develops in the small number of infected people whose immune systems do not successfully contain the primary infection.
Disseminated disease can occur within weeks of the primary infection. Sometimes, it does not occur until years after you become infected. You are more likely to get this type of TB if you have a weaken immune system due to disease (such as AIDS) or certain medications. Infants and the elderly are also at higher risk.
Your risk for catching TB increases if you:
- Are around people who have the disease
- Live in crowded or unclean conditions
- Have poor nutrition
TB has become more common in the U.S. in recent years. This may be due to a larger number of TB infections in people with AIDS and HIV, an increase in the number of immune-suppressing medications, and increasing numbers of homeless people. A rise in drug-resistant strains of TB bacteria also plays a role.
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
A physical exam may show:
- Swollen liver
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen spleen
Tests for TB include:
- Biopsies and cultures of affected organs or tissues
- Bronchoscopy for biopsy or culture
- Chest x-ray
- CT scan of the affected area
- Fundoscopy may reveal retinal lesions
- Lung biopsy
- Mycobacterial culture of bone marrow or blood
- Pleural biopsy
- Sputum cultures
This list may not be all-inclusive.
The disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Peripheral blood smear
- Blood calcium level
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Miliary tuberculosis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Miliary tuberculosis