Overview
Tuberculosis (TB) is attributable to a bacterium (or germ) known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
TB normally impacts the lungs. TB can even have an effect on different elements of the physique, such because the mind, the kidneys, or the backbone. TB can even 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 energetic TB illness.
Inactive TB
TB germs can dwell within the physique with out making you sick. That is known as inactive TB. Folks with inactive TB are contaminated with TB germs, however they don’t have energetic TB illness.
They don’t really feel sick, do not need signs of TB illness, and can’t unfold TB to others.
Energetic TB illness
TB germs change into energetic if the immune system cannot cease them from rising. When TB germs are energetic (multiplying in your physique), that is known as energetic TB illness. Folks with energetic TB illness really feel sick. TB germs can unfold to folks round them, together with their child, earlier than or after delivery. Inform your well being care supplier when you have signs of TB illness.
Pregnant girls recognized with energetic TB illness can take medication to deal with the illness.
Danger components
Pregnant girls 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 equivalent to diabetes, most cancers, or HIV ought to be examined for TB an infection, as they could have a better threat of growing energetic TB illness as soon as contaminated.
Infants born to girls with untreated energetic TB illness could have a decrease delivery weight than infants born to girls 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 way of shut contact with an individual with energetic TB illness.
Pregnant girls could produce other threat components for TB, together with:
- Being born in or continuously touring to international locations the place TB is widespread, together with some international locations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
- Residing in giant group settings the place TB is extra widespread, equivalent to homeless shelters, prisons, or jails
- Working in locations the place TB is extra prone to unfold, equivalent to hospitals, homeless shelters, correctional services, and nursing houses
Discuss to your well being care supplier about your TB threat.
Testing and analysis
Anybody, together with pregnant girls, with a constructive take a look at outcome for TB an infection (TB blood take a look at or TB pores and skin take a look at), signs of TB illness, or who’ve frolicked with an individual with energetic TB illness ought to obtain a medical analysis for TB.
A medical analysis for TB illness contains:
- Medical historical past
- Bodily examination
- Take a look at for TB an infection (TB blood take a look at or TB pores and skin take a look at)
- Chest x-ray
- Laboratory assessments to see if TB germs are current (sputum smear and tradition)
- Laboratory assessments for drug resistance
Testing for TB an infection
There are two varieties of assessments for TB an infection: the TB blood take a look at and the TB pores and skin take a look at.
The TB blood take a look at is protected to make use of throughout being pregnant however has not been totally evaluated for diagnosing TB an infection in pregnant girls.
The TB pores and skin take a look at is each protected and dependable to make use of all through being pregnant.
TB Blood Take a look at
TB blood assessments (additionally known as interferon-gamma launch assays or IGRAs) use a blood pattern to search out out if somebody is contaminated with TB germs. The assessments measure how the immune system reacts when a small quantity of blood is combined with TB proteins.
Inform your well being care supplier when you have acquired the TB vaccine (BCG vaccine). The TB vaccine could cause a false constructive TB pores and skin take a look at response. In contrast to the TB pores and skin take a look at, TB blood assessments will not be affected by the TB vaccine.
TB Pores and skin Take a look at
For the TB pores and skin take a look at, a well being care supplier makes use of a small needle to place some testing materials beneath the pores and skin. You’ll need 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 constructive take a look at outcome for TB an infection means you’ve got TB germs in your physique. A well being care supplier will do different assessments to find out when you have inactive TB or energetic TB illness. These assessments could embody a chest x-ray, and a take a look at of the sputum (phlegm) you cough up.
A unfavorable take a look at outcome for TB an infection means inactive TB or energetic TB illness is unlikely, however your well being care supplier could do extra assessments, particularly if:
- You may have signs of energetic TB illness, like coughing, chest ache, fever, weight reduction, or tiredness.
- You may have HIV.
- You have been not too long ago uncovered to TB germs.
Chest x-ray
Well being care suppliers could use a chest x-ray to search for indicators of TB illness of the lungs.
Laboratory assessments
Your well being care supplier could accumulate samples from you. A typical pattern is a sputum (phlegm) specimen to check for TB of the lungs. Your well being care supplier might also accumulate a urine pattern, take tissue samples, or do different assessments. These assessments can discover TB germs which may be outdoors your lungs.
The laboratory will do assessments, equivalent to a smear take a look at and a tradition take a look at to see whether or not there are TB germs in your pattern. If the laboratory finds TB germs in your pattern, they can even do assessments to see which TB medicines can kill the TB germs.
Prognosis
Inactive TB
You probably have a constructive TB blood take a look at or TB pores and skin take a look at, however your well being care supplier doesn’t discover proof of TB illness after a medical analysis, it’s possible you’ll be recognized with inactive TB.
Energetic TB Illness
You probably have signs of TB illness, a constructive TB blood take a look at or TB pores and skin take a look at and your well being care supplier finds proof of energetic TB illness through the medical analysis, it’s possible you’ll be recognized with energetic TB illness.
Remedy and restoration
Your well being care supplier will select TB medicines which are really useful 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 when you have any issues taking your medication.
Inactive TB therapy throughout being pregnant
Most often, girls who’re recognized with inactive TB throughout being pregnant can delay therapy for inactive TB till 2-3 months post-partum. You probably have a excessive threat of growing TB illness as soon as contaminated, your well being care supplier could suggest beginning therapy for inactive TB immediately.
Energetic TB illness therapy throughout being pregnant
Girls who’re recognized with energetic TB illness throughout being pregnant ought to begin therapy immediately. Though the TB medicines utilized in really useful therapy regimens cross the placenta, these medicines will not be 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, could cause orange discoloration of physique fluids, together with breast milk. That is anticipated and innocent.
