What is Tuberculosis (TB) ?
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when people with TB cough, sneeze or spit. Tuberculosis is preventable and curable. People who are infected but are free of the disease cannot spread it. Currently, in addition to TB in the lungs, TB also occurs in the Brain, Bone, Uterus, and Chest.
What are the statistics on TB?
According to WHO statistics, every year, 10 million people are infected with tuberculosis (TB). Despite being a preventable and curable disease, 1.5 million people die of tuberculosis every year – making it the world’s top infectious killer.
How is Tuberculosis (TB) spread?
1. Germs spread through the air through coughing, sneezing or spitting of an infected person
2. The risk of infection is higher if you are close to the patient for a long time
3. Malnutrition, weak immune system (such as diabetes, HIV) are more likely to be infected quickly
What are the Common Symptoms of TB disease?
1. Cough for more than 2 weeks
2. Coughing up blood
3. Fever and sweat (especially at night)
4. Weight loss
5. Severe weakness
Tests to diagnose TB disease
How to Diagnose TB Disease ?
Various types of tests are done to diagnose TB disease. .
1. Mantoux test:
2. Chest X-ray:
3. Sputum test:
4. Blood test: Quantiferon-TB Gold Test
Also, in some cases, MRI, bronchoscopy, FNAC, biopsy and CBNAAT, TRUE NAAT – rapid and accurate tests of any part of the body are done.
Which people can increase the risk of TB disease?
1. Diabetes (high blood sugar)
2. Weak immune system (for example, from HIV or AIDS)
3. Suffering from malnutrition
4. Tobacco use
5. Harmful alcohol use.
What to do if you have Tuberculosis?
1. Take the prescribed medicine on time every day
2. Do not stop until the full course of treatment is completed
3. Use a mask to protect others in the family
4. Get enough food and rest
5. Do not cough or sneeze in crowded or closed places
How is TB Treated ?
1. Take medicine for 6 months or more through the government DOTS program
2. Complete the course prescribed by the doctor (discontinuation in the middle may worsen the disease)
3. Eat nutritious food, rest
4. Wear a mask on the patient’s face
It is possible to recover completely if you get tested and get the right treatment at the right time. So, if you see symptoms, go to the doctor without delay