The first step in getting diagnosed with tuberculosis is to see your doctor. tuberculosis can be difficult to diagnose because it often does not cause any symptoms in the early stages.
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and whether you have any symptoms of tuberculosis. They will also perform a physical examination.
If your doctor suspects that you have tuberculosis, they will refer you to a specialist for further testing.
This might involve having a chest X-ray or a TB skin test. You may also need to have a sample of your sputum (phlegm) tested for the presence of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.
Once your diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Treatment for tuberculosis usually involves taking antibiotics for several months. With proper treatment, most people with tuberculosis can make a full recovery.
- A chest X-ray to look for signs of TB in your lungs
- A skin test to see if you have developed immunity to TB
- A blood test to check for TB bacteria
- A sputum test to see if you have TB bacteria in your saliva
- A biopsy of lung tissue to look for evidence of TB infection
If you have symptoms of TB, your doctor may also recommend that you have a CT scan or MRI of your chest. These tests can help to find out if you have active TB disease.
Once your doctor has diagnosed you with tuberculosis, they will work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Treatment for TB usually involves a combination of drugs taken for 6 to 12 months. It is important that you take all of the drugs prescribed and that you finish the full course of treatment, even if you start to feel better.
This is necessary to prevent the TB bacteria from becoming resistant to the drugs. If this happens, it will be much more difficult to treat your infection.
In some cases, surgery may also be necessary to remove part of an infected lung.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get diagnosed with TB.
Step One: Meet with Your Doctor
The first step is to schedule an appointment with your doctor. You will need to provide a detailed medical history, including any risk factors for developing TB such as spending time in close proximity to someone with TB or having a weakened immune system. Your doctor will also perform a physical examination, during which they will listen to your lungs for any signs of infection.
Step Two: Get a Chest X-Ray
Your doctor will likely order a chest x-ray to check for any signs of active TB infection in your lungs. A positive chest x-ray is one of the most definitive pieces of evidence that you have TB. However, it's important to note that a negative chest x-ray does not necessarily mean you don't have the disease; additional testing may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Step Three: Collect Sputum Samples
If your chest x-ray comes back positive or if your doctor suspects you have TB based on your symptoms and risk factors, they will order sputum tests to confirm the diagnosis. You will need to collect samples of your saliva coughed up from deep inside your lungs and spit them into a cup or container. These samples will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Frequently, multiple samples are needed because it can be difficult to produce enough sputum on demand.
Step Four: Undergo Additional Testing
If your sputum tests come back positive for TB, your doctor will likely order additional tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, to determine the severity of your infection and whether it has spread outside of your lungs. They may also order blood tests to check for antibodies against the TB bacteria or gene tests to identify which strain of TB bacteria you have so that you can be treated with the most effective drugs.
Conclusion:
If you think you may have tuberculosis, it is important to see your doctor right away so that you can start treatment as soon as possible. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, most people with TB can make a full recovery.
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