Pulmonary Infections

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Pulmonary TB is the most common form, primarily affecting the lungs. TB is transmitted through the inhalation of respiratory droplets containing M. tuberculosis. The disease can manifest as active TB, latent TB infection, or extrapulmonary TB. Symptoms of active pulmonary TB include persistent cough, chest pain, weight loss, and hemoptysis. Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and laboratory tests, such as sputum culture and molecular assays. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics, such as isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol, over an extended duration. Preventive measures for pulmonary infections like TB include vaccination with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, particularly in regions with high TB prevalence. Public health efforts also focus on early detection, contact tracing, and directly observed therapy to control the spread of TB. Ongoing research explores new diagnostic tools, treatment regimens, and strategies for TB control, especially in the context of emerging drug-resistant strains.