Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease (usually affecting the lungs) that is easily transmitted by air. Although TB is rare and easily treatable in Italy, you will still need to take precautions to prevent it in some situations, especially if you have tested positive for latent TB (an inactive form of TB that affects approximately one third of the world's population). To find out more, go to the first step.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: How to Avoid Getting TB
Step 1. Avoid coming into contact with people with active TB
Obviously the most important precaution you can take is to avoid coming into contact with people with the active form of TB, which is highly contagious, especially if you have already tested positive for the latent form. More in detail:
- Do not stay in contact with people with active TB for a long time, especially if they have been on treatment for less than two weeks. In particular, it is important to avoid coming into contact with these sick patients in closed and hot environments.
- If you are forced to be in contact with TB patients, for example if you work in medical facilities where such people are treated, you will need to take precautions, such as wearing a mask, to avoid inhaling the mycobacterium responsible for TB.
- If a friend or family member has active TB, you can help them cope with the disease and reduce their risk of becoming infected by making sure they follow the care protocol carefully.
Step 2. Find out if you are potentially at risk
Some people are considered to be more at risk of developing TB. The main subjects at risk are the following:
- Patients with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or with full-blown AIDS.
- People who live in or care for people with TB, such as close relatives or doctors and nurses.
- People who live in tight, crowded spaces such as prisons, nursing homes, or homeless shelters.
- Drug addicts or alcoholics, or people who do not have easy access to hospitals and medicines.
- People who live or travel in endemic areas such as Latin America, Africa and some Asian areas.
Step 3. Lead a healthy lifestyle
People living in poor sanitation are more susceptible to the mycobacterium responsible for TB, while resistance to the disease is lower than healthy people. So it is important that you do your best to lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole foods, and lean meat. Avoid fatty, sugary, and packaged foods.
- Exercise at least 3-4 times a week. Incorporate some cardiovascular exercises into your workout, such as running, swimming, or rowing.
- Reduce alcohol consumption, avoid smoking and drugs.
- Get at least 7/8 hours of sleep a night.
- Maintain good personal hygiene and try to stay outside in fresh air.
Step 4. Get the BCG vaccine to prevent TB
BCG (Calmette and Guerin's bacillus) is a vaccine used in many countries to help prevent the spread of TB, especially among children. However, the vaccine is not commonly used in Italy, where infection rates are low and the disease is easily treatable. Hence, vaccination is not recommended as a routine procedure. Since November 2001 in Italy the BCG vaccine has been inoculated for the following categories:
- Healthcare workers continuously exposed to the disease, especially resistant strains.
- Who has to travel to a country where tuberculosis is endemic.
Method 2 of 3: How to Diagnose and Treat TB
Step 1. Schedule a TB test if you have been exposed to someone with TB
If you have recently been in contact with a patient with active TB and believe that you may have contracted the disease, it is important to see a doctor immediately. There are two methods of testing for tuberculosis:
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Skin test:
the tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test) requires the injection of a solution containing a protein between 2 and 8 weeks after contact with an infected person. The patient must return to the doctor who will interpret the skin reaction 2-3 days later.
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Blood test:
the TB blood test requires only a single visit from a doctor, and this test is less likely to be misinterpreted. This alternative is necessary for anyone who has been vaccinated for TB, as the vaccine may interfere with the accuracy of the tuberculin test.
- If the TB test is positive, you will need to undergo another test. Medical staff will determine whether you have a latent form of TB (which is not contagious) or an active form before proceeding with treatment. Tests may include a chest X-ray and a saliva exam.
Step 2. Start treatment for latent TB immediately
If you are positive for the latent form, you should contact your doctor to determine the best treatment.
- While you may not feel sick with a latent form of TB and it is not contagious, you will likely be prescribed antibiotic therapy to kill inactive germs and prevent TB from mutating into an active form.
- The two most common treatments are: the daily intake of isoniazid, or twice a week (the duration of treatment ranges from six to nine months); the daily intake of rifampicin for four months.
Step 3. Start treatment for active TB immediately
If you test positive for the active form, it is essential that you start treatment as soon as possible.
- Symptoms of the active form of TB include cough, fever, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, chills, and loss of appetite.
- Today, the active form of TB is easily treatable with a combination of antibiotics, however the duration of treatment can be quite long, usually between six and twelve months.
- The most common treatments include isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. With the active form of TB, you will need to take a combination of these medicines, especially if you have a resistant strain.
- If you follow your treatment schedule exactly, you should start feeling better within a few weeks and you shouldn't be contagious anymore. However, it is essential that treatment ends, otherwise TB will remain latent and drug resistance could develop.
Method 3 of 3: How to Avoid the Spread of TB
Step 1. Stay home
If you have an active form of TB, you will need to take precautionary steps to avoid spreading the disease to others. You will need to stay home away from school or work for several weeks following the diagnosis and avoiding sleeping or spending long periods of time indoors with other people.
Step 2. Area the room
Tuberculosis mycobacterium spreads more easily in enclosed spaces with stagnant air. So, you should open the windows or doors to let the contaminated air out.
Step 3. Cover your mouth
Like when you are cold, you should cover your mouth when you cough, sneeze, or even when you laugh. You can use your hand to cover yourself if necessary, but a handkerchief is preferable.
Step 4. Put on a face mask
If you have to be around people, wear a surgical mask that covers your mouth and nose, at least during the first three weeks after infection. This way you reduce the risk of infecting other people.
Step 5. Complete the antibiotic therapy
It is essential to complete the prescribed therapy. Otherwise there is a risk that the bacterium mutates, causing drug resistance. Ending the therapy scheme is the safest choice for you and the people around you.
Warnings
- People who have received an organ transplant, are infected with HIV, or are considered at risk for complications cannot receive treatment for latent TB.
- Vaccination should not be given during pregnancy, immunosuppressed persons or those at risk of immunosuppression. There are insufficient studies to determine the safety of the vaccine on the fetus.
