Reasons of recurrent TB

1. Due to incomplete, inadequate and irregular treatment when first affected by infection
2. When immunity goes down due to other problems like HIV infection, malignancy or use of immunosuppressive drugs etc

TB and HIV

TB is much more severe in people with AIDS. People who are HIV-positive are more likely to develop active TB than a HIV-negative person. The TB bacteria seems to enhance HIV-replication and might also accelerate the natural progression of HIV infection.

TB and diabetes

People who have type-2 diabetes might be at greater risk for contracting TB than people who don't have diabetes. Type-2 Diabetes is associated with an altered immune response to TB. A diabetic TB patient may take longer to respond to anti-TB treatment

Myths and Facts about TB

Myth: Tuberculosis causes lung cancer.
Fact: Lung diseases that cause scarring of the lung tissues, such as tuberculosis can increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

Myth: Tuberculosis infection always develops into Tuberculosis Disease.
Fact: A tuberculosis infection does not always develop into tuberculosis disease. People with weakened immune systems, like a HIV infected, diabetic are more likely to develop active disease once infected.

Myth: A positive tuberculin skin test means TB.
Fact: A positive TB skin test only confirms that you have been exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and are infected but does not mean that you have active TB.

Myth: TB can be cured in 2-3 weeks.
Fact: No treatment of TB is less than 6 months.

Pic: Adam Ciesielski