Often referred to as TB, tuberculosis is a dangerous and highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While TB usually affects the lungs, it can also infect other parts of the body including the spine, brain and kidney. If proper medical attention is not received, TB can be fatal. The medical community divides this disease into two categories--pulmonary and extrapulmonary, which together cause 12 distinct types of tuberculosis. Pulmonary tuberculosis is responsible for five of these and extrapulmonary the remaining seven. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis occurs primarily in those with a compromised immune system.
Primary TB Pneumonia
Primary TB pneumonia is considered a pulmonary form of TB. Since primary TB pneumonia attacks people with weaker immune systems, young children and the elderly are most at risk, as are those with HIV/AIDS. This type of TB is uncommon and attacks the lungs in the form of pneumonia with symptoms of high fever and cough.
Laryngeal TB
Laryngeal TB occurs when the bacterium attacks the throat's vocal chords. This highly uncommon pulmonary TB is frequently confused with other throat diseases like chronic laryngitis and laryngeal carcinoma.
Cavitary TB
Cavitary TB infects a lung's upper lobes and slowly destroys them. Symptoms include a cough with sputum and possibly blood, night sweats, fever and weight loss. This type of TB is very contagious and can spread to other parts of the lung.
Miliary TB
Similar to primary TB pneumonia, those with a weakened immune system are at greater risk for contracting this pulmonary form of the disease. In addition to a high fever, weight loss and night sweats, miliary TB is diagnosed when small granules appear in the lungs as seen on an x-ray.
TB Pleurisy
Those who catch TB pleurisy will quickly show symptoms as the disease enters and ruptures the pleural space in the chest or the space between the lungs and the chest wall. Patients usually experience chest pain and difficulty breathing, and fluid is often present in the lungs. According to the pulmonarychannel.com website, close to two-thirds of patients with TB pleurisy develop other forms of pulmonary TB within five years.
Adrenal Tuberculosis
Adrenal TB is an extrapulmonary form of TB that affects the adrenal gland and the production of adrenal hormone. Patients with this form of TB often feel weak or faint due to insufficient adrenal gland production.
Lymph Node Disease
When the TB bacterium impacts the lymph nodes and causes them to become enlarged, lymph node disease is diagnosed. This extrapulmonary TB can even cause the lymph nodes to become so large they rupture through the skin if not diagnosed in time.
Osteal Tuberculosis
Osteal TB is an infection of the bones caused by the TB bacteria. This extrapulmonary form can lead to bone tissue weakening and even bone fractures depending on where the disease has spread in the body. While infection can occur in any bone, the spine is most usually attacked, which can lead to compression fractures and back deformity.
TB Peritonitis
Tuberculosis peritonitis tends to infect the intestine's outer lining, causing abdominal pain. The inner abdominal wall can also become infected which can cause fluid in this area similar to what occurs with TB pleurisy. When fluid enters this area, the abdomen will become distended, and patients will often have a fever.
Renal TB
When a patient has pyuria, or white blood cells in the urine, this can be an indication of renal TB. If renal TB spreads undetected, it can affect reproductive organs. In men, renal TB can lead to swelling of the tube that connects the testicles with the vas deferens, a condition known as epididymitis.
TB Meningitis
Patients that show signs of a stroke or a brain tumor should be checked for the presence of the TB bacterium. If present, TB meningitis is diagnosed. This potentially fatal form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis infects the brain.
TB Pericarditis
Tuberculosis pericarditis occurs when excess fluid builds around the heart. When TB affects this area the ability of the heart to fill with blood and beat properly can be hampered.
