Tuberculosis is one of the primary bacterial infections generally affecting the lungs. The mycobacterium tuberculosis causes it. The doctors will generally advise the long-term use of antibiotics to treat this condition completely. The affected individuals have to take a combination of antibiotic drugs for 6 months to get a complete cure. In those with untreated tuberculosis and in those who do not take the treatment completely, there are chances for the disease to spread from the lungs to other body parts such as bones. According to experts in renal science, tuberculosis can spread to kidneys as well.
What is renal tuberculosis?
Renal tuberculosis is a condition that affects the kidneys. The disease condition is an uncommon form of tuberculosis that affects the kidneys. The bacterial disease that affects the lungs also affects the kidneys. This is an extremely contagious disease. It is quite common across the world. It has been estimated by WHO that more than 10.6 million people will be affected by tuberculosis in the year 2021.
Renal tuberculosis has not been reported to date. According to experts, renal tuberculosis affects the urinary tract and presents with the following symptoms.
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Difficulty in urinating
- Passing blood in the urine
- Fever
- Feeling tired at all times
- Weight loss without any reason
- Pain in the flanks
Causes of kidney tuberculosis
The most common cause of renal tuberculosis is the spread of the bacteria from the lungs to the kidneys via the bloodstream. The bacteria stay inactive in the kidneys and will affect people with a very weak immune system. Tuberculosis in the kidneys can also be spread through the lymphatic system and can be transmitted through sexual contact as well.
Diagnosis of renal tuberculosis:
Experts in renal science diagnose the disease with the help of the following diagnostic studies.
- They will first collect the symptoms and the medical history of the patient
- They will perform imaging studies such as CT scans and MRI imaging studies to understand the extent of the spread of the disease.
- The doctors will perform expert urinalysis and urine culture tests to determine the type of bacteria that is present in the urine. This will also help to isolate the type of bacteria present in the blood.
- TB skin test is the confirmatory test for tuberculosis.
- Doctors will also perform other blood tests to detect kidney anomalies.
- In rare cases, doctors can perform a biopsy of the kidney tissues to confirm the diagnosis of kidney tuberculosis.
FAQ
What are the complications of renal tuberculosis?
Renal tuberculosis affects the kidneys and the urinary tract. The complications of this disease are that it can cause ulceration in the urinary tract. It can also constrict the tubes and restrict the flow of urine in the bladder.
Treatment for renal tuberculosis:
The treatment option for renal tuberculosis involves antibiotics and medications. It is important to treat this disease condition immediately otherwise it will result in renal failure and also death.
Treatment includes the use of anti-bacterial medication. Doctors will prescribe antibiotics like rifampicin, isoniazid, etc., for over 6 months to cure the disease completely. Surgery is also a treatment option for renal tuberculosis.
Bottom Line:
According to experts in renal science, it is better to prevent renal tuberculosis than to treat it. It is important to take the BCG vaccine. It is mandatory to maintain a good respiratory system and follow the doctor’s instructions. Maintaining a good immune system is also the best cure for this disease.
