Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health threat, with about 1.5 million deaths annually. Understanding modern detection and treatment is crucial for control. **Comprehensive TB Guide:** 1. **Transmission & Risk Factors:** - Airborne spread (coughing/sneezing) - Close contact with active TB case - Immunocompromised (HIV, diabetes, etc.) - Healthcare workers - Travelers to high-burden countries 2. **Types of TB:** - Latent TB (infection without symptoms) - Active TB (symptomatic, contagious) - Pulmonary (lungs) vs. extrapulmonary (other organs) - Drug-resistant strains (MDR/XDR-TB) **Symptoms Recognition:** - Persistent cough (>3 weeks) - Chest pain - Coughing up blood - Fatigue - Fever/chills - Night sweats - Weight loss - Specific symptoms for extrapulmonary sites **Diagnostic Methods:** - Tuberculin skin test (TST) - Interferon-gamma release assays (blood tests) - Chest X-ray - Sputum tests (smear, culture, molecular) - Drug susceptibility testing **Treatment Protocols:** 1. **Latent TB:** - 3-4 month rifamycin-based regimens preferred - Prevents progression to active disease - Especially important for high-risk individuals 2. **Active TB:** - 6+ month multidrug regimens - Directly observed therapy (DOT) recommended - First-line drugs: Isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide - Weekly monitoring initially 3. **Drug-Resistant TB:** - Longer treatment (9-24 months) - Second-line medications - Newer drugs (bedaquiline, delamanid) - Often requires hospitalization initially **Public Health Aspects:** - Mandatory reporting of cases - Contact investigations - Isolation precautions - Travel restrictions during contagious phase - Community education **Prevention Strategies:** - BCG vaccine (variable effectiveness) - Infection control in healthcare - Prompt identification/treatment - Treatment of latent TB in high-risk - Nutritional support **Emerging Developments:** - Shorter treatment regimens - New diagnostic tools (molecular tests) - Vaccine research - Improved drugs for resistant strains - Digital adherence technologies **Special Populations:** - Children - Pregnant women - HIV coinfection - Elderly - Those with liver/kidney disease TB requires careful medical supervision - never self-treat or stop medications early. With proper treatment, most cases can be cured, though monitoring for relapse is important.