Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The disease usually affects lungs and spreads through the air, when infected people cough, sneeze or spit. TB disease is usually treated with antibiotics and can be fatal without treatment.
As per World Health Organisation (WHO), about a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB bacteria. About 5–10% of people infected with TB will eventually get symptoms and develop TB disease. It is one of the leading killer diseases that led to 1.3 million deaths in 2022.
TB bacteria is also capable to attack other parts of the body like kidney, intestines, spine, or brain. However, many people who have latent TB infection never develop TB disease. As per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those at high risk for developing TB disease include: people with HIV infection; people who became infected with TB bacteria in the last 2 years; babies and young children; people who inject illegal drugs; people who have comorbidities that weaken the immune system; elderly people; and people who were not treated correctly for TB in the past.
Regarding the symptomatology of TB, when tuberculosis (TB) germs survive and multiply in the lungs, it is called a TB infection — that may be in one of three stages:
Primary TB infection — the first stage is called the primary infection. Immune system cells find and capture the germs. The immune system may completely destroy the germs. But some captured germs may still survive and multiply. Most people don’t have symptoms during a primary infection. Some people may get flu-like symptoms, such as low grade fever, tiredness, and cough.
Latent TB infection — primary infection is usually followed by the stage called latent TB infection. Immune system cells build a wall around lung tissue with TB germs. The germs can not do any more harm if the immune system keeps them under control, but the germs survive. Usually there are no symptoms during latent TB infection.
Active TB disease — this stage happens when the immune system can not control an infection. Germs cause disease throughout the lungs or other parts of the body. Active TB disease may happen right after primary infection. But it usually happens after months or years of latent TBinfection. Symptoms of active TB disease in the lungs usually begin gradually and worsen over a few weeks. They may include — cough; coughing up blood or mucus; chest pain; pain with breathing or coughing; fever with chills; night sweats; weight loss; not wanting to eat; tiredness; not feeling well in general.
World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, as proposed by International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) –is observed annually on 24th March since 1983 — to raise awareness about the disease, increase efforts to eradicate the disease, and mobilise support for those affected by TB. The WTB Day 2024, continues with the theme “Yes! We can end TB” with an aim to eradicate the deadliest disease.
TB disease is preventable and can be treated with a combination of antibacterial medications, the anti-tubercular drugs for a specific time period of six to twelve months. Moreover, it is important for infected people to practice good hygiene when coughing/sneezing, avoiding contact with other people and wearing a mask, covering one’s mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
As per WHO, it is crucial to prevent TB infections through guidance and implementation of infection prevention and control measures. These measures are critical in situations where the risk of TB transmission is high, such as health-care facilities, congregate settings and TB-affected households.
Moreover, WHO also promotes preventive action through early screening and treatment for active TB, by addressing co-morbidities and health risks as well as social determinants of the disease, and by promoting access to universal health care.
Additionally, WHO advises and guides the TB vaccine development activities of the global research community through scientific consensus-building, guidance on vaccine evaluation, and assessment of the evidence base for policy recommendations.
(Author is a health columnist and Works at SMVD Narayana Superspeciality Hospital Jammu. Feedback: [email protected])
