“Invest to End TB. Save Lives” with this theme the recent World Tuberculosis (TB) Day was observed. TB is one of the most deadly diseases which takes more than 1.5 million lives alone in a single year. According to WHO, TB is the 13th leading cause of death and the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV/AIDS) in the world. In 2020, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. 5.6 million men, 3.3 million women, and 1.1 million children. Commonly, TB is known for its impact on the lungs. The fact, however, is that the lungs are the most common area of infection, TB can affect other organs as well. Today, in this article we will know about little-known genital TB.
First of all, What is TB?
As per the WHO, Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. It spreads from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze, or spit, they push the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.
About one-quarter of the world’s population has a TB infection, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit it. People infected with TB bacteria have a 5–10% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB. Those with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition, or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a higher risk of falling ill.
What is Genital TB?
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Although Tuberculosis affects primarily the lungs of a person, it can affect other parts of the body as well. These include the brain, kidneys, spine, eyes, or reproductive parts. When TB attacks the reproductive organs it is called genital tuberculosis. This is a severe condition and can cause infertility in people.
Genital TB is an uncommon type of tuberculosis and this secondary infection occurs in the urinary and genital organs. In TB patients, it reaches the reproductive parts through blood or intestines.
This means that people who have TB in the lungs and abdomen are at increased risk of catching genital TB at the same time or in the future. There is a risk of genital TB in women and men when the primary TB test is delayed. Along with this, delay in treatment of TB, uncontrolled diabetes, HIV infection, and excessive use of steroids also increase the chances of genital TB.
If not treated at the initial stage, it can largely damage the fallopian tubes in women which can further lead to serious health complications.
Symptoms:
The major symptom of Genital TB in men is that urine infection is not cured even after taking antibiotics. At the same time, it attacks the ability of women to get pregnant. In the context of India, Genital TB is a very common cause of infertility in women. However, it is pertinent here to note that it is not a sexually transmitted disease. The physiological effect of Genital TB is infertility. However, in today’s era, with the help of treatment, reproductive health can be improved in many cases.
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