Contents:
- Medical Video: TB Lymph Node Neck - Follow Up Examination - Dr Paulose FRCS (ENT)
- What is lymph node TB?
- Lymph node TB is not contagious
- Various symptoms of lymph node TB
Medical Video: TB Lymph Node Neck - Follow Up Examination - Dr Paulose FRCS (ENT)
Tuberculosis or abbreviated TB is one of the diseases that are commonly found in Indonesia. Even TB is the number one cause of death in the country. Most cases of tuberculosis attack the respiratory tract, precisely the lungs. However, did you know that tuberculosis can also attack lymph nodes? In order to be able to detect early on, study the following types of lymph node symptoms, yes.
What is lymph node TB?
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacterial infection Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Generally, these bacteria attack the lungs. After entering the lungs, these bacteria can survive for some time without showing any symptoms. Then, the bacteria that causes TB also starts to spread to other body parts. For example, to the brain or lymph nodes.
The lymph nodes themselves are a system of tissues located in the neck, armpits and groin. Its functions include maintaining human immunity. If this part has an infection, you run the risk of experiencing swelling or the appearance of a lump in the neck, armpit, or groin. Your immune system will also weaken quite dramatically.
Lymph node TB is not contagious
The bacteria that causes tuberculosis can indeed be transmitted through the air. If a person with pulmonary tuberculosis coughs or sneezes, the bacteria that live inside will also spread in free air. In free air, these bacteria can survive within one to two hours. When you breathe it, you also contract pulmonary tuberculosis.
However, as explained by a specialist in internal medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Dr. Irwin Ziment, if you do not show symptoms of pulmonary TB, you will not transmit lymph node TB to other people. Because the bacteria in the lymph nodes will not be "pushed" out through coughing or sneezing like bacteria that nest in the respiratory tract.
Various symptoms of lymph node TB
Lymph nodes are the second organ that most often affects tuberculosis. The first is the lungs. According to the 2015 Public Library of Science (PLOS) One record, lymph node TB even covers 25 percent of all tuberculosis cases. So, you need to be vigilant and recognize the following types of lymph node symptoms. Especially if there are people around you who are diagnosed with tuberculosis.
- A lump in the front of the neck appears, precisely below the jaw. Although rarely reported, lumps due to TB lymph nodes can also appear in the groin or armpit.
- The lump is initially small and does not feel painful, but over time will enlarge and the surrounding skin becomes reddish. Some people also feel pain or pain in the area of the appearance of a lump.
Keep in mind, sometimes the symptoms of lymph node TB are not detected even though the bacteria has spread throughout the body. Though late handling tuberculosis can be fatal. So, if the main symptoms of lymph node TB appear, namely a lump appears, immediately contact a doctor.
