Extrapulmonary tuberculosis
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by tuberculosis bacteria that have spread beyond the lungs. People from certain regions (such as southeast Asia), infants and very young children, and people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of developing extrapulmonary TB.
The symptoms of the infection depend on the part of the body affected. Areas most commonly infected include:
- Lymph nodes.
- Bones and joints.
- Reproductive or urinary tract organs.
- Tissues covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges).
Extrapulmonary TB is usually treated with a combination of 4 medicines for 6 to 9 months, followed by another 4 to 7 months of treatment with 2 medicines.
| Author | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology |
| Last Updated | April 23, 2009 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
April 23, 2009
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.