TB transmission generalhisoccurs through the air. Kwhen TB sufferers actively splash mucus or phlegm when coughing or sneezing, bacteria TB will come out through the mucus and carried into the air. Furthermore, TB bacteria will enter other people's bodies through the air they breathe.
Tuberculosis or commonly known as TB disease or TB is caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This disease most often attacks the lungs. However, there are other organs of the body that can also be affected by TB disease, namely the spine, lymph nodes, skin, kidneys, and the lining of the brain.
TB disease is not transmitted through physical contact (such as shaking hands) or touching equipment that has been contaminated with TB bacteria. In addition, sharing food or drink with people with tuberculosis also does not cause someone to contract this disease.
How TB is transmitted
When you cough or sneeze, a person with TB can spread the germs in the phlegm into the air. In one cough, TB sufferers can expel about 3000 sputum sprinkling.
TB bacteria in the air can last for hours, especially if the room is dark and humid, before being inhaled by other people. Generally transmission occurs in a room where sputum sprinkling is in a long time.
People who are at high risk of contracting TB are those who often meet or live in the same place with TB sufferers, such as family, workmates, or classmates.
However, basically TB transmission is not as easy as imagined. Not everyone who breathes air containing TB bacteria will immediately develop TB.
In most cases, these inhaled bacteria will stay in the lungs without causing illness or infecting other people. Bacteria remain in the body while waiting for the right moment to infect, which is when the immune system is weak.
Several Phases of TB Infection
There are two conditions that may occur when a person breathes air that contains TB bacteria, namely:
latent tuberculosis
The latent phase occurs when the body is inhabited by TB bacteria but the immune system is good, so white blood cells can fight the bacteria.
Thus, bacteria do not attack and the body is not infected with TB. You also do not experience symptoms of TB disease and do not have the potential to infect others. Even so, bacteria can become active and attack you again at any time, especially when your immune system is weakened.
Even in a latent state, you should still see a doctor for tuberculosis treatment. If someone who is in the latent TB phase does not get treatment, then he or she is at a higher risk of developing active TB infection.
The same is true if people with latent TB have other medical conditions, such as malnutrition (malnutrition), active smoking, diabetes, or HIV infection.
active TB
Active TB is a condition when a person is already suffering from TB disease. At this stage, the TB bacteria in the body have been active so that the sufferer experiences the symptoms of tuberculosis. Patients with active TB can transmit TB disease to other people.
Therefore, people with active TB are advised to wear a mask, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, and not to spit carelessly.
People with active TB also need to get TB treatment. This treatment needs to be done regularly for at least 6 months. Treatment that is not completed or stopped in the middle of the road can result in bacterial immunity to TB drugs, also known as MDR TB.
prevent tuberculosis as early as possible
TB can be prevented by:
- Perform TB checks, especially for people who are at high risk of exposure to TB germs.
- Follow treatment procedures before TB becomes active, if already diagnosed with latent TB.
- Improve air circulation in the house to prevent bacteria from settling in the room.
- Getting BCG immunization, especially for children and people who are at high risk of contracting TB.
Even though TB transmission is not as easy as it seems, you are still advised to be vigilant. TB bacteria in the air are ready to attack at any time.
Eat nutritious foods and get enough rest to keep your immune system optimal. Thus, tuberculosis and other diseases will not be easy to attack.
If you experience several symptoms of TB, such as coughing for more than three weeks, coughing up blood, fever, cold sweats at night, and drastic weight loss, especially if there are people at home or at the office who have similar symptoms, immediately consult a doctor.