TUBERCULOSIS

2,420 Comments / By EDITOR / March 23, 2023 March 23, 2023

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 24^th 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!

Click Here to Read Tamil Article on world TB Day 2023 (உலக காசநோய் தினம் 2023 பற்றிய தமிழ் கட்டுரையைப் படிக்க இங்கே கிளிக் செ

Post Published & updated by YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR powered by Dr. Sanoop Kumar Sherin Sabu (M.D. Gen Med) & Dr. Irene Rose Joy (DO Ophtal)

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