Other Forms of Tuberculosis

Forms - Introduction - Lymphatic - Bones - Urinary - Nervous - Other

Almost any part of the body may become tuberculous, but some parts - the bones and joints, the lymphatic, reproductive, urinary and digestive systems, as well as the lungs - are more susceptible to the disease than others. But today, when an infection is found, preventive treatment with drugs can often prevent further development of the disease.

TB germs are breathed in with air and so go first to the lungs. They enter the lung and start to multiply. The first invasion of germs in the lungs does not necessarily cause disease there. The germs move to the lymph nodes through the lymph distribution system and often to many other parts of the body through the blood stream.

	Place your mouse over the words below to see where TB can occur in your body, or click on them to learn more!
	Lymphatic System Bones and Joints Urinary System Nervous System Lungs (Pulmonary TB)

In Canada about one out of five new cases of tuberculosis is located outside the lungs.

The lungs are the most common site of tuberculosis infection. The tuberculosis germs are most likely to start their damage in the upper lobes of either lung. Other organs, most notably, the kidneys, bones and lymph nodes will also succumb to a TB invasion.

Most tuberculosis germs that enter the body are destroyed by fighter cells, but some remain alive. These may cause immediate trouble or they may be locked in by scar tissue. While locked-in germs usually remain under control, in a few cases - if preventive therapy has been neglected - they may break out, even years later. These germs multiply and cause disease.

If large numbers of the TB germs escape suddenly into the blood stream, the disease develops rapidly and affects many organs. This condition is known as generalized miliary TB. Drug treatment should be started promptly, for the condition is serious. Tuberculous meningitis develops often in the course of miliary TB.