Lymphatic Tuberculosis: A Danger from Tuberculosis That Should Not Be Overlooked

What is lymphatic tuberculosis?

Tuberculous lymphadenitis is a form of tuberculosis cause by the bacterium Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Which mainly causes pulmonary tuberculosis infection. Lymphatic tuberculosis is cause by the spread of the infection to the lymph nodes. It is most commonly found in the lymph nodes in the neck (cervical lymph nodes). But can also found in other areas such as the armpit (axillary lymph nodes) or groin (groin lymph nodes).

Tips: Get to know about pseudomembranous tuberculosis (NTM), although the symptoms are similar, it is not tuberculosis (TB).

What causes lymph node tuberculosis?

Lymphatic tuberculosis is caused by infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Which is the same bacterium that causes pulmonary tuberculosis. Common causes of infection include:

• Spread of tuberculosis

Patients contract tuberculosis through droplet nuclei in the air and the germs spread into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. 

• The body’s immune system is weak.

People with low immunity, such as https://ufabet999.app those infected with HIV, those taking immunosuppressive drugs, and those with chronic diseases, are at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis than the general population.

• Contact with tuberculosis patients

Close contact with someone who has tuberculosis can allow the germs to enter the body and spread to the lymph nodes.

• Recurrent latent infection

In cases where a person has previously had latent TB infection, the infection may not show symptoms in the early stages. But when the immune system is weakened, the infection may recur and spread to the lymph nodes.

• Never received BCG vaccine

What are the symptoms of lymphatic tuberculosis?

Lymphatic tuberculosis often presents with prominent lymph nodes and may also present with other associated symptoms such as: 

• Swollen lymph nodes, often found in the neck
• Multiple swollen lymph nodes that appear as hard nodules
• In more severe cases, lymph nodes may become tender and fill with pus, eventually rupturing and forming an abscess.
• Had a low fever in the evening
• Sweating profusely at night
• Weight loss without cause
• tired 
• Loss of appetite

How is lymph node tuberculosis diagnose? 

There are several methods use to test for lymph node tuberculosis. The most common methods used by doctors for diagnosis are as follows:

• Medical history, such as whether you have had close contact with a tuberculosis patient or traveled to an endemic area, or whether you have symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, low-grade fever, or night sweats.
• Examine the area of ​​the body where the lymph nodes are swollen, such as the neck, armpit, or groin.
• A biopsy is performed to detect Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, the cause of tuberculosis.
• Chest X-ray to check for associated pulmonary tuberculosis. 
• Blood test