Overview
Tuberculosis (TB) is attributable to a bacterium (or germ) referred to as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
TB normally impacts the lungs. TB may have an effect on different elements of the physique, such because the mind, the kidneys, or the backbone. TB may have an effect on a number of elements of the physique on the identical time. For instance, TB can have an effect on each the lungs and lymph nodes.
Not everybody contaminated with TB germs turns into sick. In consequence, two TB-related circumstances exist: inactive TB (or latent TB an infection) and active TB disease.
Inactive TB
TB germs can reside within the physique with out making you sick. That is referred to as inactive TB. Individuals with inactive TB are contaminated with TB germs, however they don’t have energetic TB illness.
They don’t really feel sick, would not have symptoms of TB illness, and can’t unfold TB to others.
Energetic TB illness
TB germs grow to be energetic if the immune system cannot cease them from rising. When TB germs are energetic (multiplying in your physique), that is referred to as active TB disease. Individuals with energetic TB illness really feel sick. TB germs can unfold to folks round them, together with their child, earlier than or after start. Inform your well being care supplier in case you have symptoms of TB illness.
Pregnant ladies recognized with energetic TB illness can take drugs to deal with the illness.
Threat components
Pregnant ladies who’ve not too long ago frolicked with somebody with energetic TB illness, or who’ve a weaker immune system due to sure medicines or well being circumstances corresponding to diabetes, most cancers, or HIV must be examined for TB an infection, as they could have a better threat of creating energetic TB illness as soon as contaminated.
Infants born to ladies with untreated energetic TB illness might have a decrease start weight than infants born to ladies with out energetic TB illness. In uncommon instances, a child could also be born with TB. Infants might also be in danger for TB by shut contact with an individual with energetic TB illness.
Pregnant ladies might produce other risk factors for TB, together with:
- Being born in or frequently traveling to countries where TB is common, together with some international locations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
- Dwelling in massive group settings the place TB is extra frequent, corresponding to homeless shelters, prisons, or jails
- Working in locations the place TB is extra more likely to unfold, corresponding to hospitals, homeless shelters, correctional amenities, and nursing houses
Discuss to your well being care supplier about your TB threat.
Testing and analysis
Anybody, together with pregnant ladies, with a optimistic check outcome for TB an infection (TB blood test or TB skin test), symptoms of TB disease, or who’ve spent time with an individual with energetic TB illness ought to obtain a medical analysis for TB.
A medical evaluation for TB illness contains:
- Medical historical past
- Bodily examination
- Take a look at for TB an infection (TB blood check or TB pores and skin check)
- Chest x-ray
- Laboratory exams to see if TB germs are current (sputum smear and tradition)
- Laboratory exams for drug resistance
Testing for TB an infection
There are two kinds of tests for TB an infection: the TB blood test and the TB skin test.
The TB blood test is secure to make use of throughout being pregnant however has not been absolutely evaluated for diagnosing TB an infection in pregnant ladies.
The TB skin test is each secure and dependable to make use of all through being pregnant.
TB Blood Take a look at
TB blood tests (additionally referred to as interferon-gamma launch assays or IGRAs) use a blood pattern to search out out if somebody is contaminated with TB germs. The exams measure how the immune system reacts when a small quantity of blood is combined with TB proteins.
Inform your well being care supplier in case you have obtained the TB vaccine (BCG vaccine). The TB vaccine may cause a false optimistic TB pores and skin check response. Not like the TB pores and skin check, TB blood exams usually are not affected by the TB vaccine.
TB Pores and skin Take a look at
For the TB skin test, a well being care supplier makes use of a small needle to place some testing materials below the pores and skin. You will have to return to your well being care supplier in two to a few days to see if there’s a response.
Understanding TB Blood Take a look at or TB Pores and skin Take a look at Outcomes
A optimistic check outcome for TB an infection means you’ve gotten TB germs in your physique. A well being care supplier will do different tests to find out in case you have inactive TB or energetic TB illness. These exams might embody a chest x-ray, and a check of the sputum (phlegm) you cough up.
A unfavorable check outcome for TB an infection means inactive TB or energetic TB illness is unlikely, however your well being care supplier might do extra exams, particularly if:
- You’ve gotten symptoms of energetic TB illness, like coughing, chest ache, fever, weight reduction, or tiredness.
- You’ve gotten HIV.
- You have been not too long ago exposed to TB germs.
Chest x-ray
Well being care suppliers might use a chest x-ray to search for indicators of TB illness of the lungs.
Laboratory exams
Your well being care supplier might gather samples from you. A standard pattern is a sputum (phlegm) specimen to check for TB of the lungs. Your well being care supplier might also gather a urine pattern, take tissue samples, or do different exams. These exams can discover TB germs that could be exterior your lungs.
The laboratory will do exams, corresponding to a smear check and a tradition check to see whether or not there are TB germs in your pattern. If the laboratory finds TB germs in your pattern, they may also do exams to see which TB medicines can kill the TB germs.
Analysis
Inactive TB
If in case you have a optimistic TB blood check or TB pores and skin check, however your well being care supplier doesn’t discover proof of TB illness after a medical analysis, you might be recognized with inactive TB.
Energetic TB Illness
If in case you have symptoms of TB disease, a optimistic TB blood check or TB pores and skin check and your well being care supplier finds proof of energetic TB illness in the course of the medical analysis, you might be diagnosed with energetic TB illness.
Therapy and restoration
Your well being care supplier will select TB medicines which can be beneficial to make use of throughout being pregnant and monitor you and your child throughout therapy for inactive TB or energetic TB illness. Inform your well being care supplier in case you have any issues taking your drugs.
Inactive TB therapy throughout being pregnant
Normally, ladies who’re recognized with inactive TB throughout being pregnant can delay therapy for inactive TB till 2-3 months post-partum. If in case you have a excessive threat of creating TB illness as soon as contaminated, your well being care supplier might suggest beginning therapy for inactive TB straight away.
Energetic TB illness therapy throughout being pregnant
Girls who’re recognized with energetic TB illness throughout being pregnant ought to begin therapy straight away. Though the TB medicines utilized in beneficial therapy regimens cross the placenta, these medicines usually are not identified to have dangerous results on the infant.
Breastfeeding
Rifampin, one of many medicines that well being care suppliers can use to deal with TB, may cause orange discoloration of physique fluids, together with breast milk. That is anticipated and innocent.
