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 four
medicines for 6 to 9 months, followed by another 4 to 7 months of treatment
with two medicines.
Last Revised:
April 15, 2011
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Toxicology