I survived TB the silent killer

(Psalm 121: 3-8) He did not let my foot slip. (Psalm 139:13)For He created my inmost being; He knitted me together in my mother's womb. My enemies were already preparing for my funeral . But all my enemies were ashamed and greatly dismayed; (Psalm 6:10 )They turned back, they were suddenly ashamed. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

It marks 3 years now

TB meningitis usually develops slowly

Anyone can get TB and therefore TB meningitis, but it is more likely to affect those living in poor conditions, such as the homeless and those with other illnesses - especially HIV infection

TB infection usually begins in the lungs and in about 1 - 2% of cases the infection can progress to TB meningitis

At least 20% will suffer long-term after-effects. These are often severe and may include severe brain damage, epilepsy, paralysis and hearing loss

Tragically, between 15-30% of patients will die, despite receiving treatment and care

In the UK, isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and a fourth drug (e.g. ethambutol) are usually given for the first two months, followed by isoniazid and rifampicin for the next ten months. This combination is given to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance developing

Treatment may vary according to the response of the individual patient

Drug resistant TB meningitis may require long schedules of treatment with a variety of alternative antibiotics. A steroid (e.g. prednisolone) is also often recommended for the first few weeks of treatment

It is essential that the full course of treatment is completed. This will reduce the risk of the disease returning and of the bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics

What happens when there is a case of TB meningitis?

In order to develop TB meningitis, a person will have acquired the bacteria via the lungs and may therefore have active TB in areas of the body other than the brain.

Contacts of the person with TB meningitis will be offered testing and, where appropriate, antibiotic treatment and/or BCG vaccination

It is possible for a person to be infected with the TB bacteria, but not develop TB disease. This is known as latent TB because the TB bacteria are not active in the body. The person is usually well and cannot pass the bacteria to other people

However, there is a risk that latent TB may develop into active TB and, for this reason, latent TB is still treated with antibiotics, but for a shorter length of time

I have not been active on this page for a longtime, but someone contacted me about TB Meningitis, so I will post some information about it

The symptoms of TB meningitis

TB meningitis can initially display vague symptoms such as aches and pains, loss of appetite and tiredness, usually with a persistent headache
These vague symptoms can last for several weeks before more specific symptoms of meningitis, such as severe headache, dislike of bright lights and neck stiffness occur
The slow progression of the disease makes it difficult to diagnose and it is often advanced before treatment begins

How TB meningitis is caused

Tuberculosis bacteria enter the body by droplet inhalation i.e. breathing in bacteria from the coughing/sneezing of an infected person.
The bacteria multiply within the lungs, pass into the bloodstream and are able to travel to other areas of the body
If the bacteria travel to the meninges (protective layers that protect the brain) and brain tissue, small abscesses (tubercles/microtubercles) are formed
These abscesses can burst and cause TB meningitis. This can happen immediately, or several months or years after the initial infection
The infectious process causes a rise in pressure within the skull, resulting in nerve and brain tissue damage, which is often severe

Two years ago on this day I was admitted in hospital. Not knowing what was going on with me. 9 days later doctors discovered that I have TB of a spleen. I survived (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤♥╣[-_-]╠♥( ˘ ³˘)♥

You can't hate a person and still be obsessed with their lives, watch everything they do and discussing them

Pick a struggle....

Let's get educated about TB

What is multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB)?
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) is caused by an organism that is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, the two most potent TB drugs. These drugs are used to treat all persons with TB disease.
What is extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB)?
Extensively drug resistant TB (XDR TB) is a rare type of MDR TB that is resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, plus any fluoroquinolone and at least one of three injectable second-line drugs (i.e., amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin).
Because XDR TB is resistant to the most potent TB drugs, patients are left with treatment options that are much less effective.
XDR TB is of special concern for persons with HIV infection or other conditions that can weaken the immune system. These persons are more likely to develop TB disease once they are infected, and also have a higher risk of death once they develop TB.

How does drug resistance happen?
Resistance to anti-TB drugs can occur when these drugs are misused or mismanaged. Examples include when patients do not complete their full course of treatment; when health-care providers prescribe the wrong treatment, the wrong dose, or length of time for taking the drugs; when the supply of drugs is not always available; or when the drugs are of poor quality.
Who is at risk for getting MDR TB?
Drug resistance is more common in people who:
Do not take their TB medicine regularly
Do not take all of their TB medicine as told by their doctor or nurse
Develop TB disease again, after having taken TB medicine in the past
Come from areas of the world where drug-resistant TB is common
Have spent time with someone known to have drug-resistant TB disease
How can MDR TB be prevented?
The most important thing a person can do to prevent the spread of MDR TB is to take all of their medications exactly as prescribed by their health care provider. No doses should be missed and treatment should not be stopped early. Patients should tell their health care provider if they are having trouble taking the medications. If patients plan to travel, they should talk to their health care providers and make sure they have enough medicine to last while away.
Health care providers can help prevent MDR TB by quickly diagnosing cases, following recommended treatment guidelines, monitoring patients’ response to treatment, and making sure therapy is completed.
Another way to prevent getting MDR TB is to avoid exposure to known MDR TB patients in closed or crowded places such as hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters. If you work in hospitals or health-care settings where TB patients are likely to be seen, you should consult infection control or occupational health experts. Ask about administrative and environmental procedures for preventing exposure to TB. Once those procedures are implemented, additional measures could include using personal respiratory protective devices.

Tune in to Waterberg FM 99.3 at 19:30 tonight as we are going to wrapping up March the month of TB awareness. Listen to my story on how I survived TB the silent killer

I will be having a radio interview, as a TB Survivor soon. Details of the frequency will be confirmed. Just keep your eyes on my page

Let us learn

Spinal tuberculosis, also known as Pott’s disease or tuberculous spondylitis, is a rare infectious disease that leads to the collapse of the vertebrae, causing a deformity or kyphosis (hunchback). Named after Dr. Percivall Pott, who first detailed the condition in the 1700s, Pott’s disease or bone tuberculosis forms in the vertebra and slowly spreads into adjacent areas.

What causes of Spinal Tuberculosis?

According to our orthopedic spine surgeon in Fort Lauderdale, tuberculosis commonly starts with infectious bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mtb) that affect the lungs. If not treated, it can easily spread to the spine and cause spinal arthritis. When the infection progresses to two contiguous joints, the spinal disc receives less nutrients and begins to deteriorate.
Once the disc collapses, the vertebrae narrows and also collapses, leading to damage in the spinal cord. If no treatment is administered, this condition can lead to nerve damage, paralysis, and back deformities. One to two percent of patients who contract pulmonary (lung) tuberculosis develop Pott’s disease.

What are the symptoms of Spinal Tuberculosis?

If a person diagnosed with tuberculosis develops severe back pain, it is most likely an indication of Pott’s disease. If this happens, you should seek medical assistance from an experienced medical provider.
In some cases, patients don’t seek treatment for weeks until the back pain becomes serious. If the back pain worsens, the patient might not be able to stand or walk properly without suffering from a number of symptoms, including numbness, pain, or weakness in the legs.
Other symptoms of spinal tuberculosis include tenderness in the back area, spinal deformity, muscle spasms, the restricted motion of the spine, and neurological deficits.
Neurological deficits can occur as a result of spinal tuberculosis, along with impaired sensation, nerve root pain, and paraplegia (paralysis of both legs). There are also indirect symptoms that may still be related to the disease, such as weight loss, night sweats, fever, and body malaise or weakness.

How to treat Spinal Tuberculosis?

Spinal Tuberculosis requires a course of treatment that may need to be administered in six months to a year. The duration of the therapy depends on the doctor’s evaluation and is often individualized, depending on the individual patient’s health.
Patients with spinal tuberculosis may be prescribed medications containing isoniazid and rifampin. In the first few months of the treatment, they may also be asked to take anti-TB drugs such as ethambutol, pyrazinamide, or streptomycin.