Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and someone else inhales the bacteria.
Symptoms: The symptoms of tuberculosis can vary depending on the stage and type of the infection. Common symptoms include persistent cough (sometimes with blood), fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats, and chest pain.
Latent TB infection: Some people infected with TB bacteria have a latent TB infection, which means the bacteria remain in the body in an inactive state. They do not feel sick and cannot spread the infection to others, but they may develop active TB later if the immune system weakens.
Active TB disease: When the immune system cannot control the TB bacteria, they become active and cause symptoms. Active TB can be contagious, and without treatment, it can be life-threatening.
Diagnosis: TB can be diagnosed through several tests, including a TB skin test, blood test, chest X-ray, and sputum analysis (examining a sample of mucus coughed up from the lungs).
Treatment: TB is treatable with a combination of antibiotics. The standard treatment is a course of antibiotics taken for at least six months. It is essential to complete the full course of treatment to ensure the bacteria are completely eliminated and to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains.
Drug-resistant TB: Some strains of TB have become resistant to the standard antibiotics used to treat the infection. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) require longer and more complex treatment regimens.
Prevention: Preventive measures include the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which can provide partial protection against TB, particularly severe forms of the disease in children. In addition, maintaining good respiratory hygiene, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and ensuring proper ventilation can help reduce the risk of transmission.
PM modi said during 102nd episode of Mann Ki Baat “India aims to eradicate tuberculosis by 2025. Ni-kshay Mitra has taken charge of this movement against TB. Thousands of people are adopting TB patients in rural areas. This is the true strength of India. The youth is also contributing to achieving the target of eradicating TB by 2025”
