About Brain TB

By Dr. Mirza Zaki Ali, My Uncle (MAMU)

TB is acquired by inhaling TB bacteria -usually in childhood-this is called primary TB. Most people dont have any symptoms with primary TB-it becomes inactive or "Latent".Later in life it can "reactivate" in any part of the body-this is called secondary or reactivation TB or TB Disease When it activates in the brain-you get brain TB.

The following information is from the Centers for Disease Control and may be helpful..

1. What is TB?
2. What is latent TB infection?
3. What are the side effects of drugs for TB?
4. Why do I need to take TB medicine regularly?

1) What is TB?

TB, or tuberculosis, is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of your body, but they usually attack the lungs TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs or sneezes. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. When a person breathes in TB bacteria, the bacteria can settle in the lungs and begin to grow. From there, they can move through the blood to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain.

TB in the lungs or throat can be infectious. This means that the bacteria can be spread to other people. TB in other parts of the body, such as the kidney or spine, is usually not infectious.

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2) What is latent TB infection?

In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. The bacteria become inactive, but they remain alive in the body and can become active later. This is called latent TB infection. People with latent TB infection

1. Have no symptoms
2. Don't feel sick
3. Can't spread TB to others
4. Usually have a positive skin test reaction
5. Can develop TB disease later in life if they do not receive treatment

For latent TB infection
Many people who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. In these people, the TB bacteria remain inactive for a lifetime without causing disease. But in other people, especially people who have weak immune systems, the bacteria become active and cause TB disease.

Note: TB of the brain is NOT contagious.

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3) What are the side effects of drugs for TB?

Medicine for TB is relatively safe. Occasionally, the drugs may cause side effects. Some side effects are minor problems. Others are more serious. If you have a serious side effect, call your doctor or nurse immediately. You may be told to stop taking your medicine or to return to the clinic for tests.

The side effects listed below are serious. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or nurse immediately:

1. No appetite ,nausea ,vomiting
2. Yellowish skin or eyes ,fever for 3 or more days ,abdominal pain
3. Tingling fingers or toes ,skin rash ,easy bleeding ,aching joints
4. Dizziness ,tingling or numbness around the mouth ,easy bruising
5. Blurred or changed vision ,ringing in the ears ,hearing loss

The side effects listed below are minor problems. If you have any of these side effects, you can continue taking your medicine:

a) Rifampin can turn urine, saliva, or tears orange. The doctor or nurse may advise you not to wear soft contact lenses because they may get stained.

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4) Why do I need to take TB medicine regularly?

TB bacteria die very slowly. It takes at least 6 months for the medicine to kill all the TB bacteria. You will probably start feeling well after only a few weeks of treatment. But beware! The TB bacteria are still alive in your body. You must continue to take your medicine until all the TB bacteria are dead, even though you may feel better and have no more symptoms of TB disease.

If you don't continue taking your medicine or you aren't taking your medicine regularly, this can be very dangerous. The TB bacteria will grow again and you will remain sick for a longer time. The bacteria may also become resistant to the drugs you are taking. You may need new, different drugs to kill the TB bacteria if the old drugs no longer work. These new drugs must be taken for a longer time and usually have more serious side effects.

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