Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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[[Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis]] usually affects the [[lungs]], but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the [[brain]], the [[kidneys]], or the [[spine]].<ref name=CDC>{{cite web | title = Tuberculosis Fact Sheet | url = http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm }}</ref> Common [[symptoms]] include: | [[Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis]] usually affects the [[lungs]], but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the [[brain]], the [[kidneys]], or the [[spine]].<ref name=CDC>{{cite web | title = Tuberculosis Fact Sheet | url = http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm }}</ref> Common [[symptoms]] include: | ||
* Feelings of sickness or [[weakness]] | * Feelings of sickness or [[weakness]] | ||
* [[Weight loss]] | * [[Weight loss]] | ||
* [[Fever]] | * [[Fever]] | ||
* [[Night sweats]] | * [[Night sweats]] | ||
The [[symptoms]] of [[TB]] disease of the [[lungs]] may also include: | The [[symptoms]] of [[TB]] disease of the [[lungs]] may also include: | ||
* [[Coughing]] | * [[Coughing]] | ||
* [[Chest pain]] | * [[Chest pain]] | ||
* [[Coughing up blood]] | * [[Coughing up blood]] | ||
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==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Urgent medical care should be sought: | Urgent medical care should be sought: | ||
* If you think you have been exposed to someone with [[TB]] disease, you should contact your doctor or local health department about getting a [[TB skin test]] or [[TB]] blood test. You should also inform your doctor or nurse when did this contact occur. | * If you think you have been exposed to someone with [[TB]] disease, you should contact your doctor or local health department about getting a [[TB skin test]] or [[TB]] blood test. You should also inform your doctor or nurse when did this contact occur.<ref name=CDC>{{cite web | title = Tuberculosis Fact Sheet | url = http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm }}</ref> | ||
* When you experience some of the previously described [[symptoms]]. | * When you experience some of the previously described [[symptoms]].<ref name=CDC>{{cite web | title = Tuberculosis Fact Sheet | url = http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm }}</ref> | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
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==Prevention of Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis== | ==Prevention of Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis== | ||
To prevent multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, the following rules should be observed:<ref name=CDC>{{cite web | title = Tuberculosis Fact Sheet | url = http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm }}</ref> | To prevent multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, the following rules should be observed:<ref name=CDC>{{cite web | title = Tuberculosis Fact Sheet | url = http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm }}</ref> | ||
* Take all medications exactly as prescribed by the health care provider | * Take all medications exactly as prescribed by the health care provider | ||
* No doses should be missed and treatment should not be stopped early | * No doses should be missed and treatment should not be stopped early | ||
* Patients should tell their health care provider if they are having trouble taking the medications | * Patients should tell their health care provider if they are having trouble taking the medications | ||
* If patients plan to travel, they should talk to their health care providers and make sure they have enough medicine to last while away | * If patients plan to travel, they should talk to their health care providers and make sure they have enough medicine to last while away | ||
* Avoid exposure to known MDR TB patients in closed or crowded places such as hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters: | * Avoid exposure to known MDR TB patients in closed or crowded places such as hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters: | ||
:* In the case of health care workers, who are more likely to have contact with TB patients, infection control or occupational health experts should be consulted | :* In the case of health care workers, who are more likely to have contact with TB patients, infection control or occupational health experts should be consulted | ||
:* Administrative and environmental procedures for preventing exposure to TB should be implemented. Once those procedures are implemented, additional measures could include using personal respiratory protective devices | :* Administrative and environmental procedures for preventing exposure to TB should be implemented. Once those procedures are implemented, additional measures could include using personal respiratory protective devices | ||
Health care providers can help prevent MDR-TB by:<ref name=CDC>{{cite web | title = Tuberculosis Fact Sheet | url = http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm }}</ref> | Health care providers can help prevent MDR-TB by:<ref name=CDC>{{cite web | title = Tuberculosis Fact Sheet | url = http://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/factsheets/drtb/mdrtb.htm }}</ref> | ||
* Quickly diagnosing cases | * Quickly diagnosing cases | ||
* Following recommended treatment guidelines | * Following recommended treatment guidelines | ||
* Monitoring patients’ response to treatment | * Monitoring patients’ response to treatment | ||
* Making sure therapy is completed | * Making sure therapy is completed | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== |
Revision as of 14:28, 21 July 2014
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis |
Where to find medical care for Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis? |
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Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis On the Web |
Directions to Hospitals Treating Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis |
Risk calculators and risk factors for Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin, the two most potent TB drugs.[1] Anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug resistance is a major public health problem that threatens progress made in TB care and control worldwide. Drug resistance arises due to improper use of antibiotics in chemotherapy of drug-susceptible TB patients. This improper use is a result of a number of actions including, administration of improper treatment regimens and failure to ensure that patients complete the whole course of treatment. Essentially, drug resistance arises in areas with weak TB control programmes.[2]
What are the symptoms of Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis?
Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine.[1] Common symptoms include:
- Feelings of sickness or weakness
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Night sweats
The symptoms of TB disease of the lungs may also include:
Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area affected.
What causes Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis?
Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is resistant to anti-TB drugs. This resistance can occur when drugs are misused or mismanaged:[1]
- When patients do not complete their full course of treatment
- When health-care providers prescribe the wrong treatment, the wrong dose, or length of time for taking the drugs
- When the supply of drugs is not always available
- When the drugs are of poor quality
Who is at highest risk?
Drug resistance is more common in people who:[2]
- Do not take their TB medicine regularly
- Do not take all of their TB medicine as told by their doctor or nurse
- Develop TB disease again, after having taken TB medicine in the past
- Come from areas of the world where drug-resistant TB is common
- Have spent time with someone known to have drug-resistant TB disease
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Urgent medical care should be sought:
- If you think you have been exposed to someone with TB disease, you should contact your doctor or local health department about getting a TB skin test or TB blood test. You should also inform your doctor or nurse when did this contact occur.[1]
- When you experience some of the previously described symptoms.[1]
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis?
Prevention of Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis
To prevent multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, the following rules should be observed:[1]
- Take all medications exactly as prescribed by the health care provider
- No doses should be missed and treatment should not be stopped early
- Patients should tell their health care provider if they are having trouble taking the medications
- If patients plan to travel, they should talk to their health care providers and make sure they have enough medicine to last while away
- Avoid exposure to known MDR TB patients in closed or crowded places such as hospitals, prisons, or homeless shelters:
- In the case of health care workers, who are more likely to have contact with TB patients, infection control or occupational health experts should be consulted
- Administrative and environmental procedures for preventing exposure to TB should be implemented. Once those procedures are implemented, additional measures could include using personal respiratory protective devices
Health care providers can help prevent MDR-TB by:[1]
- Quickly diagnosing cases
- Following recommended treatment guidelines
- Monitoring patients’ response to treatment
- Making sure therapy is completed