Tuberculosis Symptoms & Treatment

Symptoms
Symptoms depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB
bacteria usually grow in the lungs. TB in the lungs may cause symptoms
such as:
*.A persistent cough that lasts two weeks or longer
*.Chest pain
*.Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
Other symptoms of active TB disease are:
*.Weakness or fatigue
*.Weight loss
*.No appetite
*.Chills
*.Fever
*.Sweating at night
Treatment
The Southern Nevada Health District's TB Treatment and Control Clinic
aggressively ensures people with active TB disease are appropriately
treated. Once treatment is started, it is extremely important that it
continue to completion so the TB does not become resistant to the
treatment drugs. Several cases of multi-drug resistant TB and
extensively drug resistant TB cases have been diagnosed in Clark
County.
When doctors, hospitals or laboratories receive a positive
tuberculosis test result, they are legally required to report it to
the health district. The TB Clinic contacts the patient to assess his
or her need for treatment and provides assistance with community
resources.
TB Infection has dissolved the left lung
Each patient with active or latent TB receives the following care:
*.Public health nurses speak and/or see each patient with active TB
five times a week to verify their food, shelter and other needs are
met.
*.The public health nurse ensures proper treatment, which includes
directly observed therapy. This means directly observing the patient
taking their medication.
*.The attending doctor examines adult patients weekly and pediatric
patients monthly.
Clinic staff do extended field contact investigation to find people
the patient has come in contact with so we can get them tested and
treated for TB, if necessary.