Phthisis miliaris

Miliary tuberculosis is characterized by a chronic, contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that has spread to other organs of the body by the blood or lymph system. Miliary tuberculosis is a potentially life-threatening type of tuberculosis that occurs when a large number of the bacteria travel through the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Tuberculosis is a contagious infection caused by the airborne bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually affects the lungs in one or a few locations. Miliary tuberculosis is so named because the innumerable tiny spots that form in the lungs are the size of millet, the small round seeds in bird food.

Miliary tuberculosis may affect one organ or several organs or occur throughout the body. It most often affects the lungs, liver, and bone marrow but may affect any organ, including the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord (meninges) and the two-layered membrane around the heart (pericardium).

Miliary tuberculosis occurs most often in the following:

• Children under 4 years old
• People with a weakened immune system
• Older people

Symptoms

Symptoms of miliary tuberculosis can be vague and difficult to identify.

• They include weight loss, fever, chills, weakness, general discomfort, and difficulty breathing.
• Infection of the bone marrow may cause severe anemia and other blood abnormalities, suggesting leukemia.
• If bacteria are intermittently released into the bloodstream from an unrecognized infection, people may have a fever that comes and goes and may gradually lose weight, wasting away.

Natural Treatment

see : Tuberculosis (TB)