Clinical features of TB

Question 1

how can TB infections be broadly divided

Answer 1

Latent disease

Active disease: pulmonary TB or extra-pulmonary TB

Question 2

is latent TB an active infection

Answer 2

no its dormant but may be reactivated

Question 3

what factors may reactivate a latent disease TB

Answer 3

increased age malnutrition
steroids/HIV
emigration
overall weker immune system

Question 4

what are the risk factors of TB

Answer 4

recent emigration 
HIV infection 
homelessness, alcoholism, drug abuse, prison 
Vitamin D deficiency 
smoking 
diabetes 
elderly

Question 5

what are the classical symptoms of TB

Answer 5

cough

haemoptysis

Question 6

what are the systemic symptoms

Answer 6

fever
malaise
sweats
wight loss

Question 7

clinical manifestation of extra-pulmonary TB

Answer 7

cervical/other sites of lymph nodes: smooth, firm and palpable nodes. Also seen on CXR
percardial: constrictive pericarditis
meningitis: chronic headache, coma, focal neurology
miliary: weight loss (seen on CXR)
bone/joint: painful mass/swelling

Question 8

what two main factors are considered in recognising TB

Answer 8

presence of systemic symptoms and risk groups

Question 9

what are the +/- factors considered in recognising TB

Answer 9

localising symptoms (cough, pain, palpable mass)
history of exposure (recent or as a child)