Last Updated on March 1, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Tuberculosis is the primary infectious cause of death worldwide. The general signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis include extreme fatigue, chills, fever, night sweats, weakness, and weight loss without trying. This article provides a comprehensive overview of tuberculosis fever.
Can fever be brought on by tuberculosis?
Yes, between 60 and 85 percent of patients with pulmonary TB have been reported to experience fever. Every case of active pulmonary TB typically demonstrates some degree of high fever, one of the key indicators of TB activity. The fever usually goes away after the second week of anti-tuberculosis treatment. For all compliant patients, modern chemotherapy almost always results in a cure. However, there are subsets of patients who have prolonged febrile states or experience fever during treatment. The tendency is to consider drug resistance and add second-line medications when a patient with pulmonary TB continues to have a fever despite receiving DOT. Instead, excessive hypersensitivity is thought to be the cause of fever, and glucocorticoids are used to treat it.
What kinds of fever patterns are associated with TB?
A limited lung lesion, a history of tuberculosis, and an infection with an isoniazid-resistant strain were among the factors that contributed to the absence of fever. In most of the cases, fever started in the late afternoon or evening, and patients under 60 years old were significantly more likely to develop this TB fever. Additionally, the body produces cortisol in response to infection, which is thought to be a defense mechanism against excessive activation of the inflammatory system. This protective mechanism is bypassed at night due to low cortisol levels, and fever rises as the inflammatory system is activated.
Which medications are used to treat tuberculosis fever?
Antibiotics with names like Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol are frequently used to treat TB-related fever. The dosage can be taken daily or three times per week. You must take these medications exactly as your doctor has advised for at least six months. In some extremely rare circumstances, treatment might need to last up to two years.
Please be sure to let the doctors know if, for any reason, you are unable to go to the TB clinic or have a nurse visit you at home on the days that you are supposed to take your medications so that alternate arrangements can be made for you.
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