Last updated on August 21, 2024 by Dr. Subashri Thanigaivel
Tuberculosis (TB), one of the common infections in the world, is seen in both adults and children. India is the country with the highest-burden of TB. The World Health Organisation (WHO) TB statistics for India for 2016 give an estimated incidence figure of 2.79 million cases of TB for India. TB communicable disease caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, the symptoms will only show only when the infection becomes active, which may take several weeks. The phase when an infected person does not show any symptoms is called inactive tuberculosis or latent tuberculosis infection.
Though known to infect the lungs, Tuberculosis can infect any organ; and even a person with a healthy immune system has a 10% chance of contracting the disease.
HowTuberculosis spreads
The bacterium can spread through only people with active TB infections. Sneezing, coughing or even talking can release the bacteria into the air, which can infect people who are breathing the same air.
Common symptoms
1. Cough that lasts for more than 2 weeks with a green, yellow or bloody sputum
2. Weight loss
3. Fatigue, Loss of appetite
4. Fever & Chills
5. Night Sweats
6. Chest pain
7. Shortness of breath
8. Additional symptoms can also show if the disease has spread beyond the chest and lungs. For example, if lymph nodes are infected, there will be swelling of glands at the sides of the neck or underarms.
Causes of Tuberculosis
1. Travelling/ living in places where TB is prevalent
2. People with substance abuse
3. People with the weak immune system
4. those suffering from grave illness such as HIV or undergoing radiotherapy
5. Health care workers who are exposed to patients with active TB
6. People who have been using steroids for a long time
Preventing TB
1. Patients should cover their nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing
2. Build natural body immunity with health food and herbs
3. Face masks should be used by healthcare professionals when dealing with patients suffering from TB
4. It is important to take medications as per the doctor’s instructions. It is crucial to understand that if the medications are stopped in between the prescribed course, TB infection can recur.
