TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and it most often affects the lungs.
TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.
Every year, 10 million people fall ill with tuberculosis (TB). Despite being a preventable and curable disease, 1.5 million people die from TB each year – making it the world’s top infectious killer.
TB is the leading cause of death of people with HIV and also a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance Tuberculosis (TB).
Despite advancements in medicine, TB remains a major global health concern, in both low-income earner and developing countries.
Causes and Transmission
TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The bacteria can remain in the air for hours, increasing the risk of infection for those nearby. However, not everyone exposed to TB bacteria becomes sick.
There are two forms of TB:
Latent TB – The bacteria remain in the body without causing symptoms. The person is not contagious but may develop active TB later.
Active TB – The bacteria multiply, causing symptoms and making the person contagious.
How can you identify a person with TB?
Here are some of the keys of some signs and symptoms if you have tuberculosis (TB).
However, if you feel any of the below condition, please seek medical care.
A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks – you may cough up mucus (phlegm) or mucus with blood in it.
Feeling tired or exhausted.
A high temperature or night sweats.
Loss of appetite.
Weight loss.
Feeling generally unwell.
Risk factors
You have a higher risk of being exposed to TB germs if you:
Where born in or frequently travel to countries where TB is common, including some countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Live or used to live in large group settings where TB is more common, such as homeless shelters, prison or jail.
Recently spent time with someone who has active TB disease.
Work in places where TB is more likely to spread.
You may have been exposed to TB germs if you spent time near someone with active TB disease.
NB !!! you have a higher risk of developing active TB disease once infected if you:
Were recently infected with TB germs.
Have a weaker immune system because of certain medications or health conditions such as debates, cancer and HIV.
Some people develop active TB disease soon (within weeks) after becoming infected, before their immune system can fight the TB germs. other people may get sick years later, when their immune system becomes weak for another reason.
Diagnosis and Treatment
TB is diagnosed using skin tests, blood tests, chest X-rays, and sputum tests. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and preventing the spread of the disease.
Treatment involves a combination of antibiotics taken for at least six months. The most common medications include:
Isoniazid
Rifampin
Ethambutol
Pyrazinamide
NB! Failure to complete the full course of treatment can lead to drug-resistant TB, which is more difficult to treat.
Prevention and Control
Preventing TB requires a combination of medical and public health strategies, including:
BCG Vaccine – Given to infants in countries with high TB prevalence, offering some protection.
Early Detection and Treatment – Identifying and treating TB early prevents its spread.
Proper Hygiene – Covering the mouth while coughing and ensuring good ventilation in living spaces reduces transmission.
Regular Screening – High-risk groups, such as healthcare workers and people with weakened immune systems, should undergo routine testing.
Conclusion
TB remains a serious health issue worldwide, particularly in regions with inadequate healthcare systems.
Efforts to enhance awareness, improve treatment accessibility, and promote preventive measures are essential in combating TB.
With global cooperation and medical advancements, the goal of eradicating TB can become a reality.
IMPORTANT NOTES
It important to take your antibiotics correctly and until you have completed the course, even if you feel better. If you stop your treatment early, TB could come back.
Literature of TB.
World Health Organization. Definitions and reporting framework for tuberculosis: 2013 revision (updated December 2014). Geneva: World Health Organization (2013).
Islam MS., et al. “Prevalence of Tuberculosis: Present Status and Overview of Its Control System in Bangladesh”. International Journal of Life-Sciences Scientific Research 3.6 (2017): 1471- 1475.
http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/gtbr15_ main_text.pdf
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WHO Tuberculosis Report (2017).
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Author: Bongo Charles
Laboratory technician
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