ID4U Episode 1 Tuberculosis Part 1
In Part 1, Dr. Jess Pelletier speaks with Dr. Moses Kitakule about tuberculosis: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis. Take-Home Points: TB is a pathogen impacting only humans which infects about ⅓ of the globe Most cases of TB are latent and asymptomatic, but TB can reactivate at any time, particularly if a host becomes immunocompromised or highly exposed to TB Patients with active pulmonary TB may have fevers, night sweats, weight loss, cough lasting more than 3 weeks, hemoptysis, dyspnea, or fatigue, but older adults and those with immune compromise may be asymptomatic or present atypically Imaging abnormalities on chest x-ray, POCUS, or CT should be seen in active TB (but not always in immunocompromised hosts) Diagnostic testing in the ED should involve sending sputum AFB smear and culture, as well as a NAAT, which may help make the diagnosis more rapidly Miliary TB patients may need targeted testing of other body fluids Protecting staff and other patients is critical You can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xrs7Yy5bAtSp8F2Esale44DKY3gRkiVwQiioQjAoNHI/edit?usp=sharing