Author: Dr. K. GANESHKUMAR, MEDICAL OFFICER DISTRICT TB CENTRE SALEM
Tuberculosis is not a hereditary disease. Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads through the air when people with TB cough, sneeze, and innocuously spit phlegm. Risk of transmission is higher in overcrowded poorly ventilated areas i.e., Auditorium, Temples, Bustand etc.,
TB doesn’t spread by shaking someone’s hand, sharing food or drink, touching bed linens or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes ,kissing. It predominantly affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.
These symptoms can be mild for many months before becoming severe, which is why timely detection is important. About one third of the world’s population has been infected with M. tuberculosis , and is at a 10% lifetime risk of contracting the disease. However, 90-95% of these infections remain asymptomatic, and most infections do not cause the disease.
People having weak immune systems are at high risk i.e.,HIV infection , Substance abuse, Silicosis, Diabetes mellitus, Severe kidney disease, Malnutrition, Organ transplants, cancer, Long term corticosteroids or immunosuppressive therapy , Pregnancy and Post covid state.
The symptoms of TB are Cough more than 2 weeks, blood stained sputum or coughing blood,evening rise of temperature-fever, Loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats. Two sputum (Phlegm) specimens one at spot and another at early morning has to be given. TB is confirmed by doing Microscopy test or Rapid molecular test-NAAT(Genexpert /Truenat) and chest Xray.
Patients can get tested at government hospitals available near their residence.TB Test is available at free of Cost at nearby Primary Health Centres.Patients diagnosed as TB should get treated for 6 months . High quality DOTS TB treatment is available at free of cost at nearby government Health Institutions. TB is 100% curable.High protein diet (Egg, meat,pulses etc.,) is advised for TB Patients.
All TB Patients are offered Rs.500/- as incentive towards Nutrition till completion of TB treatment under the scheme Nikshay Poshan Yojana . Self training module for TB is available as an app TB Arogya Sathi (can be downloaded from google playstore).
National TB Elimination programme in INDIA progressing with an ambitious goal of TB FREE INDIA by 2025. World TB Day is observed on March 24th every year . It commemorates the day on which Dr.Robert Koch published his discovery Mycobacterium Tuberculosis to the world. The theme for this year “’Yes! We can end TB!
Post Published & updated by YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR powered by Dr. Sanoop Kumar Sherin Sabu (M.D. Gen Med) & Dr. Irene Rose Joy (DO Ophtal)
For Details mail us at yourfamilydoctor100@gmail.com
Excellent Artical sir
THE TAMIL ARTICLE IS ALSO VERY USEFUL FOR PATIENTS
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Having read your posts. I believed you have given your readers valuable information. Feel free to visit my website 87N and I hope you get additional insights about Article Marketing as I did upon stumbling across your site.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!