| Tuberculosis is still a very common disease mostly | | | | of tests to find the best treatment and the most |
| encountered in low developed countries and areas. | | | | adequate drugs to treat Tuberculosis. |
| TBC localizes especially in the lungs but can also | | | | As Tuberculosis infection can be caused by different |
| affect kidneys, bones or other tissues. | | | | strains of the bacteria, more recent genetic research |
| There are three main diagnosing methods regularly | | | | has improved the speed of diagnose by using the |
| used in hospitals all over the world: | | | | polymerize chain reaction (PCR). Through the strain |
| 1. The first made in cases of suspicion is the skin | | | | multiplication of a microscopic bacterial fragment |
| testing at Tuberculin, a purified protein derivate that | | | | doctors obtain the genetic material required to |
| checks the exposure of the patient to the infection. | | | | establish the right treatment. |
| Although he might not have developed the disease, | | | | Prevention methods are also available in TBC cases. |
| the patient that had contact with the bacteria | | | | The BCG vaccination during childhood decreases the |
| causing the infection has possibly developed a type | | | | risk of Tuberculin infection at children. A good |
| of hypersensitivity. The PPD will be injected under | | | | ventilation of the air in public places disperses the |
| the skin and verified after 48-72 hours to detect a | | | | bacteria and reduces the risk of contact. Ultraviolet |
| possible enlarged papule. A positive result of the | | | | rays are most helpful in closed environments as they |
| testing indicates the primo infection to Tuberculosis. | | | | also kill Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, but they cannot |
| This test is not 100% certain and cannot guide the | | | | guarantee the 100% certainty of prevention. |
| doctor to a sure diagnose without other | | | | The basic treatment of Tuberculosis is a combination |
| investigations. | | | | of more antibiotics found to be efficient against the |
| 2. The secondary investigation is the search for | | | | particular type of bacterial strain. One single antibiotic |
| Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in the sputum or other | | | | is likely to lead to resistance developing. The cure |
| organic fluids or tissues. | | | | must last for at least 6 months but the duration of |
| 3. The third but most meaningful testing is the chest | | | | treatment can go up to 9 months or a whole year. |
| X-ray detecting any kind of pulmonary injuries | | | | Most common, the combination of Hydrazid, |
| assembling to the ones in Tuberculosis. These three | | | | Rifampicin, Pyrazinamid and Ethambutol is used in |
| methods must be connected with significant signs | | | | treating tuberculin infection. |
| and symptoms for Tuberculosis. | | | | Lately, the entire bacterial genome of Tuberculosis |
| After a certain positive diagnose has been | | | | has been decoded. We expect new methods of |
| established, the doctor must proceed by other kind | | | | prevention and treatment in the next following years. |