How is Tuberculosis Detected?

Tuberculosis Detection Guide: Lab Tests, Imaging & Screening Methods

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body, infecting other vital organs. If diagnosed early, tuberculosis can be treated with proper medication. Hence, the diagnosis plays an essential role in the prognosis.

This disease mainly spreads through droplets. Hence, there is a high chance of spreading when a person coughs, talks, sneezes or laughs. Scroll down to learn about the symptoms and diagnostic procedures regarding tuberculosis infection.

What are the Symptoms of Tuberculosis?

The symptoms of tuberculosis include:
 

• Loss of appetite accompanied by drastic weight loss
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Chills
• Hemoptysis (blood in cough)
• Weakness or fatigue
• A bad cough for more than two weeks that doesn't get better with medication
   

However, inactive TB doesn't show any symptoms, and the person needs to undergo specific tests to get diagnosed.

What are the Diagnostic Procedures for Tuberculosis?

Find the essential diagnostic procedures that help in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in the section below:

1. Proper Medical History

Once you have contacted a healthcare provider, they will ask you the following questions to have a proper medical history:
 

• What are the symptoms you are experiencing currently?
• Did you spend time with someone who has currently recovered from a tuberculosis infection or has an active tuberculosis infection?
• Have you ever been diagnosed with tuberculosis infection before?
• According to the suspected individual, what factors increase the risk of becoming infected with tuberculosis bacteria?

2. Thorough Physical Examination

A proper physical examination by a healthcare professional is a part of the tuberculosis diagnosis process. Through this:

• The healthcare provider gains knowledge about the patient’s overall health
• Speeds up the diagnosis process
• Reveals certain other factors that might affect the treatment regimen

3. TB Blood Test

A blood sample is collected from the suspected individual and sent to the lab. The test reveals whether the immune system cells of the body can recognize tuberculosis bacteria. A positive blood test result indicates either an active tuberculosis infection or a latent tuberculosis infection.

However, a negative result doesn’t mean that the individual is not affected; it can also indicate that the body didn’t respond to the test.

4. TB Skin Test (Mantoux Test)

In this test, a protein extract called tuberculin is injected just under the skin on the inside of the forearm. If the person has a tuberculosis infection, the injection site will swell up as a reaction to tuberculin. The size of the swelled-up area determines a positive or a negative result.

However, a person who has recently taken a vaccination for tuberculosis might also show a positive test result.

5. X-Ray of Chest

If the suspected person suffers from an active tuberculosis infection, a chest X-ray will reveal certain patches in the lungs.

6. Sputum Test

Every time you cough, a mucus-like fluid called sputum rises up to your oral cavity. If the doctor suspects you of having an active TB infection, this sputum is taken as a sample and sent for lab testing to confirm the presence of tuberculosis bacteria.

7. Other Tests

Some of the other tests to detect the presence of tuberculosis infection include:

• Removing sputum directly from the lungs through a special tube
• Routine examination and culture sensitivity of the urine of the suspected individual
• Culture sensitivity of the cerebrospinal fluid (present around the spinal cord and the brain)
   

Tuberculosis detection has to be prompt and fast, as a delay in the diagnosis may affect the prognosis and turn out to be fatal for the individual. However, the disease is completely curable with proper medication and intervention.

Now, with the rising healthcare costs, availing quality medical care for tuberculosis patients may come with a hefty bill. Thus, Star Health offers coverage for tuberculosis patients under the Star Comprehensive Health Insurance plan, including cashless hospitalization, ambulance charges coverage, midterm inclusion, etc.

Call us today for further information!