TB Meningitis

What is TB Meningitis?

Tuberculosis or TB is an airborne disease that is contagious and affects the lungs typically. The bacterium causing tuberculosis is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When left untreated or poorly treated, the bacteria can travel into and through your bloodstream to infect other tissues and organs.

In the case when the bacteria travels the meninges, it leads to a life-threatening disease called meningeal tuberculosis or tubercular meningitis or TB meningitis. Meninges are the membranes around the spinal cord and brain.

Causes of TB Meningitis

TB meningitis is the result of an entire process of the TB bacteria entering your body and travelling to the meninges. We have explained it in the following steps:

  • The bacteria enter the body through droplet inhalation, i.e breathing in the bacterium from an infected person who is sneezing or coughing.
  • The bacteria multiply when in the lungs and passes through the bloodstream to reach different body organs.
  • These abscesses can burst and lead to TB meningitis. It can be an immediate result or may show up after months of years post the initial infection.
  • It is an infectious process that results in an increase in pressure within the skull that further causes damage to the brain and nerve tissue.

Symptoms TB Meningitis

The symptoms of TB meningitis can last several weeks before getting severe and the slow progression of the condition makes the diagnosis difficult.

Some common signs include:

  • Aches and pains
  • Loss of appetite
  • Tiredness
  • Persistent headaches turning severe over time
  • Neck stiffness
  • Dislike of bright colors

When to see a doctor

The right time to see a doctor is when you notice the early symptoms of TB meningitis. If that headache persists even after taking pain killers, or the coughing stays back after taking suitable medicines, you need to see your doctor.

On visiting a doctor’s clinic, he will carry out a physical examination and ask about your medical history and existing symptoms. In case the doctor suspects Tb meningitis, he will prescribe some more tests, such as:

  • Blood culture
  • Biopsy of the meninges
  • CT-scan of the head
  • Chest X-ray
  • Skin test for TB (PPD skin test)

Did you recently notice some early symptoms of TB meningitis? Make a visit to Dr Rao for quick diagnosis and best treatment methods.

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