India has set a target of eliminating TB by the year 2025. The government allocated Rs 3400 crore for this work in the financial year 2023. As of today, TB treatment is free in all government hospitals and patients also get Rs 1,000 per month for a healthy diet during treatment. However, after recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the road to this goal seems difficult.
The World Health Organization has recently stated in a report that in the year 2023, more than 8 million cases of TB have been observed worldwide. Worryingly, this is the highest number of TB cases reported in any year since WHO started tracking it in 1995.
These figures are of great concern to India as despite eradication campaigns, 25% of global TB cases are reported in India alone. A total of 25 lakh 37 thousand cases of TB were reported in India in the year 2023. While earlier in the year 2022, about 24 lakh 22 thousand cases were reported.
Around 12 lakh 50 thousand people are likely to die due to TB in the year 2023 across the world. While in India in the year 2023 more than 3 lakh 20 thousand people have died due to TB.
That's why today'Health water'in We will talk about TB. You will also learn that-
- Why and how is this disease spread?
- Why is TB a deadly disease?
- What are the treatment and prevention measures for TB?
What is Tuberculosis (TB)? TB is an infectious disease. Its bacteria usually affect lung tissue. However, sometimes it can also affect other organs such as the spinal cord, brain or kidneys.
Why does TB happen? TB is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These bacteria are spread through the air and usually infect the lungs. TB is certainly an infectious disease, but it does not spread very easily. When a person spends a long time around an infected person, they can also be affected by the disease.
How is TB spread? When a person infected with TB coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings or laughs, the germs released from their mouth can infect people nearby. Only people with active TB are contagious.
Its peculiarity is that if bacteria have entered the body through our breath, most people's bodies are able to fight against these bacteria and stop them from growing. Bacteria remain inactive in the body of these people. However, they remain alive in the body and can then be activated at any time. This is called latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or latent TB. If the immune system of these people is later weakened, these bacteria become active and attack.
What are the symptoms of TB? People whose TB is not active show no symptoms. However, if these people are screened for TB, they may have TB.
Active People with TB can show many symptoms. See graphic:
These are common symptoms of TB, which usually appear when the lungs are infected. If other organs are also affected due to TB, other symptoms may also appear due to it:
- If the kidneys are affected by TB, blood may appear in the urine and kidney function may deteriorate.
- If TB affects the spine, back pain, stiffness and muscle spasms may occur.
- If TB spreads to the brain, nausea and vomiting may occur. Confusion persists and loss of consciousness may occur.
What types of tests are used to diagnose TB? being done? There are two types of screening tests for TB diagnosis. Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) and blood test. In this, skin and blood tests are done.
If a person is found positive in the screening, the lung damage caused by TB is detected. Treatment depends on the level of lung damage and whether TB is positive or not.
For this the following tests are done:
- Lab tests of sputum and lung fluid
- X-ray of the chest
- Computed tomography scan (CT-scan)
What is the treatment for TB? When active TB is diagnosed, drugs are usually taken for 6 to 9 months. If the course of treatment is not completed, there is a possibility that the TB infection may return. The biggest danger in this is that if the infection comes back, the drugs given in the previous course will become ineffective this time. So it is very important to complete the course of TB medicine.
What to do to avoid TB infection? Dr Shivani Swamy says that if you want to avoid TB infection, keep your immune system strong and eat a nutritious diet. If the immune system is strong, our body can neutralize the TB bacteria.
Immunity is also important because many people suffer from latent TB and when the immune system is weak, the TB bacteria can become active. If the immune system remains strong, these bacteria cannot be activated.
What can you do to stop the spread of TB? If you are around an infected person, wash your hands thoroughly often. Wear a mask and get yourself tested for TB periodically.
If a person is suffering from TB he can do the following.
- Cover your mouth with your elbow while coughing.
- Avoid too close contact with other people.
- Make sure you are taking all your medications regularly.
- Do not go to office or school unless the doctor gives permission.
- If it is necessary to go out or meet people, wear a mask.
- The most important measure to prevent TB infection is proper ventilation.
- Do not stay in a dark room and keep the windows of the room you are in open.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
