Is it possible to get TB again? Secondary tuberculosis

Etiology and pathogenesis of the reappearance of tuberculosis
How is secondary tuberculosis treated?

Secondary pulmonary tuberculosis is common, and this form of the disease can develop at absolutely any age, but, as a rule, it is more often observed in men from 30 to 50 years old. At present, it has not been fully elucidated why men are more likely to have a secondary one than women, but there is an opinion that the appearance of a secondary focus of inflammation is the result of an unhealthy lifestyle and a decrease in immunity due to excessive intake of alcoholic beverages or other adverse facts.

In clinical practice, the primary and secondary forms of tuberculosis are far from always distinguishable, therefore, as a rule, a relapse of the disease is diagnosed if the primary form of the disease has been previously identified and successfully treated in a person. It should be borne in mind that after entering the human body, Mycobacterium tuberculosis cannot be completely eliminated, but with the correct treatment of the primary focus, the disease can be defeated. In the future, in this state of affairs, mycobacteria remain in the lymphatic system, but are under control. immune system, do not multiply and do not cause complications.

Tuberculosis is a very insidious disease that simply cannot be completely cured, but this does not mean that a person who has completed a full course of treatment will necessarily suffer from acute phases of the disease from time to time. Currently, many researchers believe that secondary outbreaks of tuberculosis are not always associated with the fact that in the past a person suffered from the acute phase of this disease. It is quite possible that main reason the reappearance of the acute phase lies in reinfection, that is, a new infection of the body with mycobacteria that have come from outside.

In addition, in some cases, if a person's immune system is strong enough, then he may not have obvious signs morbidity for many months and even years after infection. In this case, the development of the acute phase also suggests the appearance of secondary tuberculosis. In order to understand the pathogenesis of the secondary form, it is necessary to trace the main stages of the development of the disease from the entry of mycobacteria into the body and infection to the extinction of the disease and its revival after a certain time.

So, after the first contact of the human body with bacilli, areas of exudative lesions are formed first of all in the lymph nodes, which, as a rule, heal rapidly. Further, an immune response is observed and the active production of antibodies capable of fighting mycobacteria begins. Approximately 4-9 weeks after infection, a TB test is positive.

In cases where the human immune system is not strong enough and the healing process of the lesion in the lymph nodes is slow, then it may appear, that is, the primary form of the disease appears. In most cases, people throughout their lives are carriers of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a latent form, that is, they do not have an acute phase of the course of the disease and do not actually get sick.

If a person still develops the active phase of the disease and undergoes timely treatment, then there will be no health consequences, since the disease will again go into a latent form. However, this is not always the case, and under certain circumstances, a person can get sick again. As a rule, this is a consequence of a sharp decrease in the immune function of the body.

It is not uncommon for people with AIDS to relapse. In addition, the development of this disease may be the result of taking potent drugs and drugs. Recurrent tuberculosis usually occurs in the pulmonary form, although extrapulmonary forms are quite common. With recurrent tuberculosis, extrapulmonary forms are more common than with primary.

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Symptoms of secondary tuberculosis

The difficulty in diagnosing the secondary form is largely due to the fact that the symptomatic manifestations are very similar to the primary. With the most common pulmonary form of tuberculosis, the most characteristic symptom is a severe cough that does not go away for more than 2 weeks. In addition, sputum interspersed with blood and hemoptysis is characteristic. In the extrapulmonary form of secondary tuberculosis, the symptoms largely depend on which organ has been affected. The most common symptoms of secondary extrapulmonary tuberculosis include:

enlarged lymph nodes;
chest pain;
pain when urinating;
headache;
hematuria;
changes in the timbre of the voice;
dyspnea;
liver enlargement;
confusion;
cardiopalmus.

These are not all the symptoms that can be observed with. In addition, it should be noted that the severity of symptoms depends largely on how weak the immune system is and how extensive the damage caused by mycobacteria.

Most people who previously suffered from an active form of tuberculosis immediately pay attention to the symptoms, so they try to consult a doctor at the first sign of the disease for advice and treatment. However, if the acute phase, which was observed earlier, went unnoticed, the symptoms that appeared cannot become a signal for a person about the activation of pathogenic microflora in the body. It is worth noting that each of the forms has a lot of features.

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The main forms of secondary tuberculosis

Repeated tuberculosis can occur, affecting a variety of organs and systems. It is possible to distinguish at least 5 main forms of the course of the disease, which are most often found in the recurrence of tuberculosis:

Focal. This form of secondary tuberculosis is the most common, as it occurs in 50-80% of cases. Symptomatic manifestations of this form can be very diverse, but at the same time, under certain conditions, focal tuberculosis can be asymptomatic. The main diagnostic sign of the appearance of this form are dense foci different sizes observed on the lungs on x-ray.
Disseminated. Disseminated recurrence of tuberculosis is very similar to the manifestations of the primary form of this disease. As a rule, this variant of the disease is observed in children, adolescents and the elderly. The main manifestations of this variant of the course of the disease are an increase in body temperature, the appearance of foci of inflammation in the lungs, chills, headaches, cyanosis, loss of appetite, sweating, tachycardia, dry cough and many other symptoms. The recurrence of the disease in a disseminated form is extremely difficult in most patients, since there is a strong degeneration of the lung tissue and severe intoxication of the body, and in addition, the involvement of the inflammatory process of the lungs on early stage disease development.
Infiltrative. A characteristic feature of this form of secondary tuberculosis is the presence of multiple foci in the lungs, soldered together. With this form, there is a pronounced inflammatory process and expansion of the bronchi. The onset of the disease is usually expressed by mild malaise, weakness, loss of appetite, drowsiness and short-term increases in body temperature.
Cavernous. This form is the most controversial, as it is diagnosed in the presence of small foci of thin-walled isolated cavities, and the lung tissue does not differ in significant changes. Though clinical manifestations moderate, this form is predisposing to the appearance of many serious complications.
Fibrous-cavernous. This form is characterized by the presence in the lungs of specific formations - caverns, characterized by thick walls formed by fibrous tissue. The disease is asymptomatic for a long time, but gradually the lungs are reborn, becoming a fibrous tissue.

Secondary tuberculosis - the result reinfection, it develops in the body of an adult who has previously undergone its primary form.

Due to insufficiently formed immunity acquired after the primary form, re-infection occurs.

The lesion affects mainly the apical and posterior segments of the upper (rarely lower) lobes of the lungs.

A sharp decrease in immunity serves as a signal for the activation of Koch's bacillus, which has been present in the body since the primary form of the disease.

Secondary form of tuberculosis: symptoms, can it be a relapse, repeated treatment

It usually starts a significant rise in temperature, excessive sweating at night, weight loss and appetite, as well as weakness and general malaise. A little bit later an unproductive cough is connected to all the existing symptoms, which eventually becomes with pronounced purulent sputum, often with streaks of blood.

Photo 1. Cough macro with streaks of blood, characteristic of secondary tuberculosis.

Typical for secondary tuberculosis is the formation fibrosis, a condition in which the lungs are pulled up and reduced in volume. During the progression of the disease, the lung loses its usual structure due to the affected foci. With timely therapy, the lesion heals with minimal loss of organ tissue.
Characteristic of the disease are foci-screenings occurring after a short period of time after the main lesion.
Necrotic material is often rejected by the bronchi, forming cavitary tuberculous formations - lung cavities. With the appearance of new formations of exudative inflammation, the presence of bronchogenic screening.
The disease is most often localized in the lungs, but there are cases of damage to systems and other organs. Tuberculosis is fairly stable and a seemingly cured patient often remains a carrier. latent mycobacteria awaiting weakening of the immune system.

Important! The initial stage of secondary tuberculosis proceeds without significant specific manifestations, which are easy to accept. for the onset of a viral disease.

The manifestation of the secondary form of tuberculosis for the most part depends on the location. Forms of the disease of extrapulmonary locations are significantly different from pulmonary tuberculosis.

For extrapulmonary symptoms diseases include:

shortness of breath
swollen lymph nodes;
lethargy;
painful urination;
migraine;
the presence of blood in the urine;
cardiopalmus;
voice change;
tachycardia.

Symptoms of the disease can manifest themselves in people regardless of social status, gender or age. But, according to statistics, the most susceptible to secondary tuberculosis middle aged men.

However, this does not guarantee that a person will systematically go through relapses of the disease. To date, doctors are increasingly asserting that the cause of secondary tuberculosis is not the activation of mycobacteria at all, but new pathogen.

Forms of the disease

Focal. She is dating in 80% of cases with secondary tuberculosis. It is diagnosed by the presence of seals in the tissues of the lungs on x-rays.
disseminated. The nature of the course is similar to the primary form of the disease. This form is determined by severe intoxication, as well as a noticeable pathological change in the lung tissue.
Infiltrative tuberculosis. In the pictures with this form of the disease, the lesions are interconnected, while the bronchi themselves are dilated and the lung tissues are inflamed.
Cavernous form characterized by the formation of cavities, while the surrounding tissue does not undergo pathological changes at all.
Fibrous-cavernous. With this form, the lesion gradually covers a large volume of the lung, eventually contributing to the degeneration of its tissue into fibrous.

Treatment of secondary tuberculosis

Treatment of the disease consists in a complex of procedures, conservative and specific therapy. Specific treatment- a long course of antibiotics that are taken by the patient until his full recovery. The most effective in the treatment of tuberculosis today are twelve medicinal anti-tuberculosis drugs:

1 group. Rifampicin and Isoniazid are the most effective drugs.

2 group. Ethambutol, Kanamycin, Viomycin, Streptomycin, Prothionamide, Cycloserine, Pyrazinamide, Ethionamide, drugs with less pronounced effect

3 group. Thioacetachone and PAS are the least effective.

Treatment of secondary tuberculosis is practically no different from the primary form of therapy. To eliminate pronounced outbreaks of activity in the lung, a combination of the most effective anti-tuberculosis drugs is practiced. Focusing on the nature of the course of the disease, it is usually prescribed two to four drugs. With a repeated form of tuberculosis, it is usually prescribed:

Pyrazinamide;
Rifampicin;
Ethambutol;
Isoniazid.

Photo 2. Packing of Rifampicin in the form of capsules of 20 pieces with a dosage of 150 mg. Producer "Darnitsa".

After prolonged use of antibiotics three or more months the patient is assigned a follow-up examination, the results of which help to adjust further treatment.

Reference. Chronic forms of the disease allow for surgery. When surgery is the patient's only chance for recovery, antibiotic therapy ( 1 to 4 months) is aimed solely at preparing the patient for surgery.

Nonspecific therapy consists in observing patients hygiene regimen and good nutrition, which is used mainly in sanatorium conditions and special boarding houses. In the southern sanatoriums of the Crimea, the Caucasus and Kazakhstan, patients undergo solar, sea and other types of therapy aimed at healing and restoring the body after a long course of taking heavy antibiotics.

What to do to completely cure infectious tuberculosis?

Carriers of the latent form of tuberculosis often attribute the initial symptoms of the disease to fatigue and stress, thereby only aggravating the course of the disease.

Therefore, it is important to know and distinguish main signs of tuberculosis and at the slightest suspicion seek medical help. This will help to diagnose the disease in time and start treatment in a timely manner.

The secondary form of tuberculosis has several forms. All of them have a different degree of danger to others. But for the patient himself, they pose a clear threat. If treatment is not started on time, a milder form can develop into a dangerous one. Complications on the internal organs are possible.

Tuberculosis is a dangerous disease that is characterized by the likelihood of relapses. Even if you went to the doctor in time and cured him, then you should not relax. This disease has a primary and secondary form. The latter appears in case of reactivation of the infection, that is, a relapse occurs.

Secondary tuberculosis: causes, treatment and health consequences

What factors "contribute" to the emergence of secondary tuberculosis and why it is dangerous - you will learn about this in our article. You will also learn about the forms of this disease, the symptoms and what treatment will help get rid of the problem.

Secondary tuberculosis It is important to identify it in time and contact a specialist as soon as possible!

What is secondary tuberculosis

Secondary tuberculosis appears in people who have already had it before. That is, those who have already been infected before are at risk of getting sick. In this case, infection with another type of bacteria occurs or an exacerbation of remission occurs. Such a disease proceeds much more complicated than the primary form.

Re-tuberculosis may appear due to infection with Koch's bacillus through wounds, food or airborne droplets from the patient. The second way is the reactivation of the focus of the disease due to a decrease in immunity and a weakening of the body.

The risk of recurrence of the disease increases due to:

the presence of chronic diseases;
eating disorders;
the presence of harmful addictions - alcoholism and drug addiction;
smoking;
chronic stress;
immunosuppressants.

It also negatively affects the state environment– unfavorable environmental conditions or potentially hazardous working conditions.

Primary tuberculosis does not give 100% immunity, so the reappearance of the disease is quite possible.

Secondary tuberculosis: forms and consequences

The secondary form of tuberculosis has several forms. All of them have a different degree of danger to others. But for the patient himself, they pose a clear threat. If treatment is not started on time, a milder form can develop into a dangerous one. Complications on the internal organs are possible.

There are such forms of secondary tuberculosis:

1. Focal- appears after mycobacteria have entered the healed foci. It is quite difficult to diagnose, because it does not have characteristic symptoms. It can be diagnosed only with the help of fluorography. This form of tuberculosis is dangerous to others due to dense foci. However, a person can recover quickly if he turns to specialists in time.

2. Infiltrative- Infiltrates form in the lungs, around which lymphocytes and leukocytes accumulate. Half of the cases of "return" of tuberculosis falls on this form. This form is dangerous in that lung tissues are destroyed, cavities appear. It is also contagious to others. Characteristic symptoms: a sharp increase in temperature, hemoptysis, severe weakness.

3. Tuberculoma- a focus with curdled masses appears in the lungs, but the disease itself does not have characteristic symptoms. As the foci grow, a person notices weight loss, hyperthermia, and bleeding from the lungs appears.

4. Caseous pneumonia- it can affect one lung or both at once. This is one of the most dangerous forms, because it has a high mortality rate - up to 80%. Cavities form in the lungs, they gradually die off. That is why even those who are cured often remain disabled for life.

5. Fibrous-cavernous tuberculosis- characterized by the appearance of cavities and fibrous capsules in the lungs. It manifests itself as weakness of the muscles of the thoracic region, intoxication, wheezing and coughing up blood. This form is treated, in most cases, surgically.

6. Cirrhotic tuberculosis- increases the volume of connective tissue. There is shortness of breath, cyanosis of the skin, the patient coughs up blood, suffers from sweating, weakness. The chest is deformed.

Any of these forms requires immediate medical attention and treatment.

One of the most informative methods for diagnosing any form of tuberculosis is computed tomography.

Secondary tuberculosis: treatment of different forms

Secondary tuberculosis is treated exclusively in a hospital, because some of its forms are potentially dangerous to others. In addition, the treatment will be systemic. And it requires various procedures that are carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.

For treatment, mucolytic and expectorant drugs are used, inhalations, antibiotic therapy are used. Late treatment can lead to complications on other organs of the body.

Treatment of cavernous tuberculosis will take a long time, in some cases surgery is required. Tuberculoma is treated with chemotherapy, often surgery is needed - in especially advanced cases.

Secondary tuberculosis in each of the cases requires the placement of the patient in a hospital. Further treatment will be combined. Its duration and complexity will depend on the form of the disease and the degree of its neglect.

If the secondary form of tuberculosis is not treated, the likelihood of death is high.

Secondary tuberculosis much more dangerous than the original form of this disease.

Many people believe that having had tuberculosis, it is impossible to catch it a second time. But due to a number of factors, the disease can return. Contribute to this bad habits, weakened immunity, unhealthy lifestyle, malnutrition.

Therefore, the best prevention of tuberculosis is healthy eating, quitting smoking and alcohol, playing sports, balance of vitamins and minerals in the diet.

If there is a suspicion of a return of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor. Secondary forms of tuberculosis are dangerous because they have a high percentage of adverse outcomes. To prevent this, hospitalization and complex treatment are needed.estet-portal.com

P.S. And remember, just by changing your consciousness - together we change the world! © econet

Tuberculosis is a fairly common infectious disease caused by Koch's wand. Most often, such an ailment affects the lung tissue, it is very difficult to treat, and even after complete recovery, it can return.

The recurrence of tuberculosis doctors classify as a relapse. Such a disease is called secondary or post-primary. Relapse can occur after an asymptomatic course of the disease or after a successful recovery.

There are two main causes of secondary disease:

A strong decrease in immunity, against the background of which activation of pathogens already present in the body (which remained after the primary disease) can occur, for example, inside calcified lymph nodes. Insufficient activity of the immune system, in turn, can be provoked by hormonal disorders, the consumption of certain drugs (hormones, etc.), as well as certain diseases (for example, HIV, diabetes). In addition, the immune system can work worse under the influence of stress and bad habits.
Prolonged or close contact with a TB patient ( pathogenic bacteria). The disease often occurs due to the attack of a new type of pathogen.

According to phthisiology statistics, recurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis is most often diagnosed in male patients, whose age ranges from thirty to fifty years.

People at risk are:

Suffering from chronic ailments of the upper respiratory tract.
Those who received injuries of the chest, underwent surgery in the intercostal cavity.
Pregnant or lactating women.
With various ailments, which are characterized by a decrease in immune activity.
Employees of tuberculosis dispensaries, places of detention, shelters for the homeless, pathologists, laboratory assistants, etc.
Eating irregularly and incorrectly, having bad habits.
living in poor conditions.

The risk of recurrence of tuberculosis is present in all patients who once had this disease. This disease has long been atypical exclusively for the marginalized population.

Risks of infection

You can catch tuberculosis again:

From a sick person who actively spreads bacteria while talking, sneezing or coughing. Dangerous are people with the active phase of the disease.
Sick animals, mostly cows. There is a risk of infection through animal products, for example, through meat or milk.
from infected birds.

In healthcare workers, infection is possible when a glove is punctured while working with the patient's secretions. Such penetration of aggressive bacteria becomes a serious stress for the immune system, and the body cannot cope with them.

Clinical picture

Symptoms of TB recurrence often differ from the typical signs of the primary disease:

The disease can begin as a normal viral disease, with a fever. There may be periods of fever when the thermometer rises to 38-39 ° C, but most often they do not rise above 37 ° C.
The patient may be disturbed by a cough, which at first is perceived as a consequence of a cold. But it lasts quite a long time - more than three weeks. Hemoptysis may occur.
There is pain behind the sternum - in the area of the projection of the lungs.
There is excessive sweating at night.
Weight loss occurs, a person becomes weak and quickly gets tired even from the usual physical activity.

Secondary tuberculosis often proceeds atypically, with erased symptoms, therefore it is diagnosed by chance or already in an advanced form.

As a rule, recurrent tuberculosis affects the lungs. However, it is possible to develop an extrapulmonary form of the disease, in which case the patient may be disturbed by:

Dyspnea.
Frequent heartbeat.
Changes in voice tone.
Headache.
Enlarged lymph nodes.
Loss of appetite and weight loss.
Lethargy, drowsiness, lethargy.
Pain during urination, as well as the appearance of blood in the urine, etc.

Forms of the disease

Secondary tuberculosis can occur in the form of:

Focal damage.
Tuberculomas.
infiltrative lesion.
Caseous pneumonia.
Cavernous tuberculosis.
Fibrinous-cavernous tuberculosis.
cirrhotic lesion.

Focal form

With this type of disease, the pathological process is limited to one or two foci of medium size, which are localized in the region of one lung segment. Tuberculosis of focal type can be:

Fresh (it is also called soft-focal).
Chronic (received the name of fibro-focal). It often forms in places where there were calcified foci.

The disease can be almost asymptomatic. Possible occurrence:

fatigue.
Excessive sweating.
Weaknesses.
weight loss.

Tuberculoma

Tuberculoma is a special fibrous capsule, which consists of several layers. Caseous masses are formed in it. Such a formation is capable of growing and producing conglomerates. Tuberculoma is most often asymptomatic, it is possible only:

The appearance of symptoms of intoxication (if the pathology progresses).
The occurrence of fine bubbling rales (if the tuberculoma disintegrates).

Infiltrative lesion

This type of tuberculosis is typical for the secondary form of the disease. With its development, mycobacteria begin to multiply especially quickly, large lesions form in the lungs, the size of which continues to increase. With infiltrative tuberculosis it is possible:

The occurrence of severe weakness.
Excessive sweating.
Constant shortness of breath.
Painful sensations in the chest.
Cough with hemoptysis.
An increase in temperature to subfebrile indicators.

At the initial stage of development, the disease is almost asymptomatic. It is believed that infiltrative lesions are characteristic of 60-70% of cases of secondary tuberculosis.

Caseous pneumonia

This type of disease is characterized by active and rapid development with the appearance of pronounced symptoms of intoxication:

Temperature indicators rise up to 39–40 ° С.
The patient is worried about chills and severe weakness.
Severe sweating is typical.
Appetite disappears, exhaustion may occur. Sometimes body weight is reduced to twenty kilograms.
Shortness of breath appears.
Disturbed by pain in the chest.
There is bruising of the extremities.

Caseous pneumonia is difficult to treat. The probability of a lethal outcome reaches 55–77%.

Running cases

If the patient does not go to the doctor in time, the pathological processes in the lungs become irreversible. So, the development of cavernous tuberculosis is possible. With such a pathology, thin-walled cavities are formed inside the lungs, they are called caverns. The diameter of such formations reaches a couple of centimeters. They arise in those places where there was a rejection of necrotic tissue.

This form of the disease is characterized by an undulating course with periods of remission and exacerbation. The patient does not have manifestations of severe intoxication or cough, but there is a high risk of heavy pulmonary bleeding.

With further progression, cavernous tuberculosis becomes fibrinous-cavernous, and then cirrhotic.

Treatment

Most often, when diagnosing secondary tuberculosis, doctors insist on conservative therapy. The patient is prescribed antibiotics, selected individually.

Anti-tuberculosis treatment is carried out in special tuberculosis dispensaries or phthisiatric departments.

Some forms of the disease are treated with surgical methods, in particular, such an intervention is necessary for tuberculoma. Of course, patients undergo an auxiliary correction using multivitamin complexes, diet food and spa therapy.

The process of development of tuberculosis infection begins with the defeat of the lymph nodes, which usually quickly cope with the infection. The body begins to intensively build protection against the invasion of harmful microorganisms, producing special antibodies. After about 1.5-2 months, the Mantoux test gives a positive result. Only 10% of infected people have an open form of the disease. After treatment, Koch's sticks become inactive, the person stops spreading the infection, and becomes safe for others.

More often, the infection affects men around the age of 50, but in general the disease affects children and adults without age or sex differences.

Help the spread of Koch's bacillus suitable conditions that arise:

after colds, especially those that occur too often;
with reduced immunity, poor nutrition;
from the progression of diseases of metabolic disorders;
with chronic lesions of internal organs;
due to congenital pathologies that weaken the vitality of a person;
under poor living conditions.

Risk group for TB recurrence:

patients affected by chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
traumatism of the chest, surgery in the intercostal cavity;
endocrine, hormonal diseases;
patients with AIDS or hepatitis;
pregnant or lactating women, children.

Also at an increased risk of developing tuberculosis are people who, through their service or work, often come into contact with infected patients:

employees of tuberculosis dispensaries;
employees in places of detention;
homeless shelter workers.

Provocative qualities have:

emotional stress;
smoking of tobacco products, alcohol abuse, other types of addictions that adversely affect the state of health;
tuberculosis patients, even in the past, close relatives;
lack of vitamins, fats, proteins in the daily diet.

How tuberculosis manifests itself in secondary lesions

Symptoms of the disease have various manifestations, sometimes not characteristic of the disease.

The main reasons for diagnosing a relapse of the disease in adults and children:

Prolonged cough due to colds lasting more than three weeks. And it is not so important whether sputum is secreted or not.
Pain behind the sternum in the region of the lungs. Possibly hemoptysis.
Constant temperature over 37°C. There are periods of fever with an increase in body temperature up to 38-39 ° C.
Profuse perspiration on chest at night.
Dark spots on chest X-ray.
Weight loss independent of dietary quality.
Weakness, fatigue from the usual earlier physical activity quickly sets in.

At risk are:

people without a permanent place of residence;
returned from places of detention;
committed to bad habits - smoking, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, especially with injections;
male personality, regardless of age;
people who have recovered from the primary stage of tuberculosis.

Classification of a secondary disease

In the majority, tuberculosis becomes latent. A person may never know that he is sick for the rest of his life. But at any suitable moment, the dormant virus wakes up and, despite acquired immunity, a person becomes ill with secondary tuberculosis. In the future, periods of remission and activity change. The disease flares up, then subsides for an indefinite period.

There is also a high risk of contracting tuberculosis a second time after successful treatment of the primary disease, since the resulting immunity to Koch's bacillus is weak.

You can get re-infected:

from people with the active phase of the disease, who spread the bacteria around them when coughing, sneezing, talking;
sick animals, usually cows. The danger is represented by livestock products: milk, meat;
infected poultry, eggs.

The disease in adults is usually noticed by chance during fluorography or the Mantoux reaction, which is done when applying for a job at an educational institution.

Tuberculosis has several forms, differing from each other in the severity of the course of the disease:

focal;
disseminated;
infiltrative;
cavernous;
fibrous-cavernous;
cirrhotic;
caseous pneumonia;
tuberculoma of the lungs;
tuberculous pleurisy;
tuberculous lesions of the larynx, bronchi, trachea.

The most common focal type of lesion, in which the lungs are formed different in size and localization of the diseased areas.

How is a focal recurrence of a pulmonary disease manifested?

The main symptoms of the secondary phase of the disease:

Rapid fatigue during normal physical activity.
Loss of vitality, lack of interests, apathy.
A pale color of the oral cavity and skin appears.
Lack of appetite and rapid weight loss.
Increased sweating, especially at night.
Hoarse cough, sometimes blood stains are visible in the sputum.
Enlargement of lymph nodes without pain.
Difficulty breathing, wheezing in the chest when listening to a doctor.
Alternating constipation and diarrhoea, in the absence of the influence of nutrition.
Tachycardia associated with distinct murmurs in the region of the heart.
High body temperature.
A sharp drop in blood pressure.
Pain, sometimes quite strong, in the lungs.

If similar symptoms are found and pulmonary tuberculosis is suspected, you should immediately contact a tuberculosis dispensary to conduct a high-quality comprehensive diagnosis that confirms or refutes the preliminary diagnosis:

it is necessary to donate blood for a general examination;
sputum that is coughed up should be sent for analysis to determine the presence of Koch's bacillus;
urine is examined for bacteriological composition;
antibodies produced by the body to counter infection with tuberculosis are detected;
a blood test is taken to identify the causative agent of the disease at the cellular level;
Pirquet and Mantoux tests, which allow to determine the damage to the body by the disease;
x-ray examination of the lungs allows you to see the affected area;
bronchoscopy is performed if there is no sputum.

If the symptoms of the disease are detected late, a person may become disabled even after an intensive rehabilitation course.

How to beat the disease

In order to qualitatively destroy the infection, the patient must be treated inpatiently for at least 6 months in a specialized medical institution. Treatment is prescribed only by a doctor. Usually use at least two types of antibiotics to stop the spread of infection in the body.

The doctor prescribes a course of chemotherapy for 4-6 months to a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis. From the available arsenal of drugs, the most suitable for the treatment of a particular person are selected. If the treatment is ineffective, the drug can be replaced after 2 months. Means are first used daily, and then the frequency is reduced to 3-4 single doses per week.

Antibiotic treatment consists of taking 4-5 types at the same time in order to get rid of a lung infection for sure.

Also complex methods contain:

antihistamines;
vitamin complex;
hemostatic drugs when spotting in sputum, feces, urine;
drugs that increase immunity;
physiotherapy procedures.

A patient with a non-contagious form of tuberculosis is recommended to take sanatorium treatment in places with a rarefied air mass, usually in mountainous areas.

If treatment for a six-month course has not brought improvement, surgery is recommended to remove the part of the lung affected by the disease.

Reasons for surgical treatment:

bleeding from the lungs that cannot be stopped by medical methods;
open cavities in the respiratory organs, not amenable to conventional treatment;
the formation of foci with calcium content that interferes with full breathing;
cicatricial formations in the bronchi;
lung cancer detected at the same time as tuberculosis.

The recovery of the operated patient occurs much faster than with drug therapy.

Tuberculosis is serious infection, which without providing high-quality treatment in half of the cases leads to death. Bacteria negatively affect almost all human organs, causing pathology of the respiratory, cardiovascular systems, brain diseases, damage to the liver, kidneys, and blood.

Detection of infection in pregnant women leads to mandatory abortion, since tuberculosis can be transmitted to the child, and the methods of treatment are highly toxic.

To protect yourself from a dangerous lesion, you need to do an annual fluorography, which allows you to identify the symptoms of the pathology in time and begin the necessary treatment. A person who has recovered from tuberculosis remains under the constant supervision of a phthisiatrician. It is recommended to completely change your lifestyle, get rid of bad habits.