Pulmonary Tuberculosis

📖What is Pulmonary Tuberculosis?

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection of the lungs caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, spread through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. India carries one of the highest burdens of tuberculosis in the world, making it a major public health priority despite being both preventable and curable. The infection typically develops slowly, with the bacteria capable of remaining dormant in the body for years in a latent form before becoming active, particularly if the immune system weakens. Active pulmonary tuberculosis causes progressive lung damage and can be fatal without treatment, while also posing a risk of transmission to close contacts. A full course of multi-drug antibiotic therapy over several months is required to achieve a complete cure and prevent the emergence of drug-resistant strains.

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