Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by a germ that spreads through the air when a person with lung TB coughs. It most often affects the lungs, causing a cough for more than two weeks, fever, night sweats and weight loss. TB is curable when the full course of medicines is taken without breaks. Dr A. Ashok Kumar in Chittoor tests for TB, starts treatment and follows patients until the course is complete, working alongside the government TB programme.
Common symptoms of tuberculosis
- Cough for more than 2 weeks
- Evening fever and night sweats
- Loss of weight and appetite
- Blood in the phlegm
- Chest pain or breathlessness
- Swollen neck glands (TB outside the lungs)
Get urgent care if you have
- Coughing up large amounts of blood
- Severe breathlessness
- Confusion, severe headache or neck stiffness
Emergency? Call 093448 53689 or 108, or go to the nearest hospital.
Causes and risk factors
TB spreads through the air in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces. Risk is higher with diabetes, HIV, poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol, kidney disease and medicines that lower immunity.
Tests that help
Sputum and TB tests
Testing a sample of phlegm under the microscope and with rapid molecular tests finds TB germs and other infections, and shows whether TB germs are resistant to medicines.
Chest X-ray and HRCT chest
Pictures of the lungs. A high-resolution CT (HRCT) shows fine detail and is important for ILD, bronchiectasis, unexplained cough and lung spots. Dr Ashok arranges the right scan and explains the report with you.
Bronchoscopy and BAL (selected cases)
A thin flexible camera is passed through the nose or mouth into the airways, under sedation and local anaesthetic, to look inside, take samples (BAL) or a small biopsy. It is used when tests are needed for infection, TB, ILD or a lung spot.
How Dr Ashok manages it
- Confirming TB with sputum and rapid molecular tests (also checks drug resistance)
- Starting the right medicine course for your weight and test result
- Regular follow-up to check side effects, weight and response
- Screening family members who live with you
- Linking with the free government TB programme and its nutrition support where eligible
- Care for TB after-effects such as damaged airways or breathlessness
Living well
- Never stop TB medicines midway, even if you feel better
- Cover your mouth when coughing; keep rooms airy
- Eat protein-rich food
- Control sugar if you have diabetes
- Tell the doctor at once about yellow eyes, rash or vomiting
Questions patients ask
Is TB curable?
Yes. Most people with TB are cured when they take the full course of medicines regularly. Stopping early can make the germs resistant and much harder to treat.
How long is TB treatment?
Usually at least six months for TB that responds to standard medicines. Drug-resistant TB needs a longer course.
Is TB treatment free?
The Government of India provides free TB tests and medicines through the National TB Elimination Programme. The doctor can guide you on how to use it.
Can my family catch TB from me?
Lung TB can spread through the air, but after about two weeks of correct treatment the risk falls a lot. Family members should be checked if they have symptoms.