Tuberculosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Tuberculosis is also called TB. It is an infection that starts in the lungs and may spread to other parts of the body. The lungs are two hollow organs in your chest. TB is caused by a germ called Mycobacteria tuberculosis. These germs are spread in the air from person to person by coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include coughing for more than three weeks, blood in the sputum (phlegm), or chest pain with breathing. You may also have shortness of breath, no appetite, unexplained weight loss, low-grade fever, and night sweats.
  
  
• It is called a latent TB infection if you have TB without symptoms. If you have symptoms, the disease is called active TB. Whether you have latent or active TB, it needs to be treated with medicines for 6 to 12 months or longer. If TB is not treated completely, it can damage your lungs and other parts of the body. The only cure for TB is to take all your medicines as directed by your caregiver.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Untreated TB may cause life-long lung problems. TB may spread to your brain, bone, spine, and kidneys if it is not treated. Treatment may be more difficult if the infection has spread to other parts of your body. Untreated TB can also spread to others who can become ill. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your medicine, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Activity: At first you may need to rest in bed. It may be easier for you to breathe if you rest with the head of your bed raised. You can also breathe easier if you rest your head on three or four pillows. Resting in a reclining chair may also help you breathe better. Another way to breathe easier is by saving your energy and resting more. If you have trouble breathing, call your caregiver right away. You may get out of bed when your breathing has improved.

Isolation: You may be put on isolation safety measures if you have an infection or disease that may be given to others. Caregivers and visitors may need to wear gloves, a face mask, or a gown. Visitors should wash their hands before leaving to keep from spreading germs.

Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a machine that tells how much oxygen is in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your ear, finger, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Caregivers use this machine to see if you need more oxygen.

Medicine: You may need any of these:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
  
  
• Antituberculotic medicine: Antituberculotic medicine may be given to kill the germ that causes tuberculosis (TB).
  
  
• Fever medicine: This type of medicine is given to help lower your body temperature. Common medicines used to lower temperature include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Lowering your body temperature may help you feel better.
  
  
• Expectorants: Expectorant medicine helps thin your sputum (mucus from the lungs). When sputum is thin, it may be easier for you to cough it up and spit it out. This may make your breathing easier, and may help you get better faster.

Tests: You may have any of these tests:

• Blood gases: This test is also called an arterial blood gas or ABG test. Blood is taken from an artery (blood vessel) in your wrist, arm, or groin. The groin is the area where your abdomen meets your upper leg. Your blood is tested for the amount of "gases" in it, such as oxygen, acids, and carbon dioxide.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.
  
  
• Computerized tomography scan: This test is also called a CT or CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your chest. Your caregivers look at the pictures to learn more about your TB. Before taking the pictures, you may be given dye through an IV in your vein. The dye helps the chest and lungs show up better in the pictures. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to this dye. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any of these.
  
  
• Sputum sample: Sputum (mucus from your lungs) is collected in a special cup when you cough. It is sent to a lab for tests. The sputum may show what germ is causing your illness. It can also help your caregiver choose what medicine is best for you.

Treatment options:

• Breathing treatments: You may need breathing treatments to help open your airways so you can breathe easier. A machine may be used to help you breathe in medicine. A caregiver helps you with these treatments. At first you may need them more often. As you get better, you may only need the treatments when you are having trouble breathing.
  
  
• Deep breathing and coughing: Deep breathing helps to open the air passages in your lungs. Coughing helps to bring up sputum (mucus) from your lungs. You can deep breathe and cough on your own, or with the help of an incentive spirometer.
  
  
  • Take a deep breath and hold the breath as long as you can. Then push the air out of your lungs with a deep, strong cough. Put any sputum that you have coughed up into a tissue and throw it away. Take 10 deep breaths in a row every hour that you are awake, even during the night. Remember to follow each deep breath with a cough.
    
    
  • An incentive spirometer can help you take deeper breaths. Put the plastic piece into your mouth and take a steady, deep breath in. Hold your breath as long as you can, and then exhale (breathe out). Use your incentive spirometer 10 times every hour that you are awake, even during the night.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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