2022-11-25
You're Not Alone: Extra-pulmonary TB is More Common Than You Think
When most people think of tuberculosis, they think of the pulmonary kind. This is the type of TB that attacks the lungs and is spread through the air. But did you know that there's also such a thing as extra-pulmonary TB? This type of TB can attack any organ in your body except for the lungs and is just as serious as pulmonary TB. In fact, according to the CDC, "About 15% of new active TB cases in the United States are extra-pulmonary."
Visiting: https://nikshay-setu.in/blogs/PM-TB-Mukt-Bharat-Abhiyan
If you've been diagnosed with extra-pulmonary TB, you might be feeling a bit isolated and alone. After all, it's not as talked about as pulmonary TB. But the fact is, you're not alone. There are millions of people around the world living with extra-pulmonary TB. And while it might feel like no one understands what you're going through, there are actually a lot of people who do. Here are three things you should know about living with extra-pulmonary TB.
You're Not the Only One Living with Extra-Pulmonary TB
As we mentioned before, there are millions of people around the world living with extra-pulmonary TB. According to The Global Tuberculosis Report 2018, released by the World Health Organization (WHO), "In 2017, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with TB, including 600 000 with drug-resistant disease." So if you're feeling isolated, remember that you're part of a large community of people dealing with the same thing.
Extra-Pulmonary TB is Just as Serious as Pulmonary TB
While pulmonary TB gets more attention because it's more easily spread, extra-pulmonary TB is just as serious—if not more so. In fact, according to WHO, "Extra-pulmonary sites most commonly affected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis are the lymph nodes (with or without associated overt lymphadenitis), bones and joints (with or without associated overt osteomyelitis or arthritis), pleura (with or without an associated effusion), peritoneum, meninges and brain (with or without associated parenchymal lesions), kidney, adrenals (with or without associated overt Addison’s disease) and endometrium." If left untreated, extra-pulmonary TB can be fatal.
There is Hope
Although extra-pulmonary TB is a serious illness, there is hope. With early diagnosis and treatment, most people are able to make a full recovery. In fact, according to WHO," An estimated 20% of new cases and 12% of previously treated cases were successful in being cured in 2017." So if you've been diagnosed with extra-pulmonary TB, know that there is hope for a full recovery.
Conclusion:
If you've been diagnosed with extra-pulmonary TB, you might be feeling scared and alone. But the fact is, you're not alone—there are millions of people around the world living with this condition. And while it might feel like no one understands what you're going through, there are actually a lot of people who do. Here are three things you should know about living with extra-pulmonarv TB.