This disease is curable and preventable. According to the WHO, since 2000, more than 49 million lives have been saved thanks to timely diagnosis and effective treatment. “If there is a suspicion of having been infected by the bacteria, a pulmonary auscultation, laboratory tests, chest X-ray and a sputum culture are performed in our clinic”, refers Dr. Julio Cachay, a renowned infectious disease specialist at Clínica Ricardo Palma.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is one of the world’s most fatal infectious diseases, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It almost always affects the lungs, however, it can also affect other organs by the blood or lymphatic route (kidneys, spine and brain).

Our specialist reports that the most frequent symptoms are:

Fever, sweating, weight loss, cough with phlegm for more than 15 days or with traces of blood, chest pain, weakness and tiredness.

How is it transmitted?

It is airborne, from person to person. When someone who is sick coughs, sneezes, spits, sings or talks, these bacteria are spread through the air and it is enough for a person to be near and inhale them to become infected.

There are two conditions related to tuberculosis:

• Latent tuberculosis: When people are infected with the virus, but have not yet become ill and cannot transmit the infection. These patients have a 10% chance of getting sick, however, the risk increases when the immune system is impaired.
• Active tuberculosis: It requires drug treatment for 6 months. When drugs are not taken strictly, the bacteria multiply and become stronger.

Keep in mind that tuberculosis can be cured as long as it is diagnosed on time.  It is essential that the patient completes his or her treatment to avoid having to repeat it or becoming drug-resistant

Dr. Julio Cachay
Infectious Disease Doctor at Clínica Ricardo Palma