Page 1 - Volume XIII- Hospital Newsletter
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MiCare E-Newsletter Vol XIII
TUBERCULOSIS
Tuberculosis (TB) is a notable disease globally (coughing up of blood), fatigue, appetite and
and in Malaysia. In 2018, the World Health Orga- weight loss. The symptoms of Extrapulmonary
nization (WHO) estimated 10 million global TB Tuberculosis vary according to the organs
cases. The local incidences of TB in 2018 were involved eg. lymph nodes may have enlarged
92/100,000 cases (27600 cases), majority of neck glands. TB Meningitis (brain) may present
patients were between 21-60 years age (69.5%) with intermittent or persistent headaches for a
and gender predominance (65%) were male. few weeks followed with behavioral changes and
The states in Malaysia that recorded the highest may progress into a coma over a few weeks.
cases were Sabah and Selangor. TB transmis- Pleural Tuberculosis may present with shortness
sion risks include close TB contacts which post of breath from days to weeks, chest pain, inter-
4x the risk and diabetics susceptible to 3x the mittent fever, fatigue and lethargy.
risk. Other contributing risk factors include:
people with existing chronic lung diseases, The diagnosis of TB is made by the presence of
kidney diseases, cancer, malnutrition, substance the above symptoms; chest X ray and confirma-
abuse, smokers and alcoholics. tion of the presence of Mycobacterium Tubeculo-
sis in the sputum or any other tissue; and fluid (in
TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacte- Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis). TB is a treatable
ria Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. There are 2 disease with anti TB medications. The most
types of TB: Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) and common medications used are Etahmbutol, Iso-
Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB). PTB niazid, Rifampicin and Pyrizinamide. These
affects the lungs and is the most common type of medications may have side effects which
TB. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis is an infection include nausea, vomiting, numbness of
which affects any organ outside the lungs such hands and feet, visual disturbances and
as the common pleura (lung covering) and lymph occasionally liver toxicity. The duration of
nodes. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis may also treatment for PTB/ EPTB is usually 6 months (it
affect muscles, bones, brain, abdomen and geni- can be extended up to 12 months depending on
tourinary system. situations). The regime consist on a daily 4 drug
regime for 2 months which is called the intensive
Pulmonary Tuberculosis symptoms include phase followed by a daily 2 drug regime for the
chronic productive cough (>2 weeks), chest pain, remainder of the course which is called the main-
intermittent fever, night sweats, haemoptysis tenance regime. The combination of therapeutics
MiCare Sdn Bhd, Block A, No. 22, Jalan Astaka U8/84, Seksyen U8,
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