It is a common misconception that tuberculosis affects the respiratory system, in particular, the lungs. However, the bacteria that cause the disease can penetrate the blood and multiply in other organs. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis is difficult to diagnose in the early stages of development, so it often becomes the cause of many dangerous complications.
What extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis exist?
Depending on the localization of pathological inflammatory processes, the following varieties of tuberculosis are distinguished:
- urogenital system;
- osteoarticular;
- lymph nodes;
- eye;
- peritoneum;
- the meninges;
- skin;
- adrenal glands;
- intestines;
- pericardium;
- liver;
- larynx;
- bronchi.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis
Clinical manifestations of different types of the pathology in question correspond to the defeat of a particular organ or system. Common signs can be considered:
- lethargy, a constant sense of fatigue;
- pain syndrome localized in the tuberculosis development zone;
- symptoms of organism intoxication;
- fever.
Specific manifestations of the disease can be similar to other diseases ( meningitis , colitis, conjunctivitis, bronchitis and the like), therefore, with prolonged, but ineffective treatment of any illness, it is necessary to contact the TB doctor to check for extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Diagnosis consists in carrying out such studies:
- the general analysis of a blood , urine;
- coprogramme;
- tuberculin tests;
- X-ray, computer or magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound of the affected organ.
Treatment of extrapulmonary tuberculosis
The main methods of combating this pathology involve the use of antibacterial drugs and specific chemotherapy. Medicines are prescribed only by the phthisiatrician based on the results of tuberculin tests, determining the sensitivity of bacteria to various types of antibiotics.
In addition, patients are recommended a special diet, compliance with the regime of the day, sometimes - physiotherapy, rehabilitation.