Article by IfuM
Tuberculosis is a disease which everyone usually talks about; but they have a very few knowledge about it. Are you one of them? If yes then just read the article and spend a few minutes of your time and know about tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is a disease which is cause by the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is spread by infected people through air when they cough, sneeze, or by transmitting their saliva through air. The organism mostly affects lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.
Some WHO facts about Tuberculosis:
Tuberculosis is a disease which is cause by the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is spread by infected people through air when they cough, sneeze, or by transmitting their saliva through air. The organism mostly affects lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.
Some WHO facts about Tuberculosis:
- Tuberculosis (TB) is second only to HIV/AIDS as the greatest killer worldwide due to a single infectious agent.
- In 2010, 8.8 million people fell ill with TB and 1.4 million died from TB.
- In 2009, there were about 10 million orphan children as a result of TB deaths among parents.
- TB is a leading killer of people living with HIV causing one quarter of all deaths.
- Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) is present in virtually all countries surveyed.
Tuberculosis mostly affects young adults. Use of tabacco increases the risk of tuberculosis disease and death. Tuberculosis occurs in almost every part of the world. Common symptoms of active lung TB are cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
Tuberculosis is treatable as well a curable.
The treatment is done by a 6 month course by 4 anti-microbial drugs namely isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol.
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis:
If the organism is resistant to the drugs ioniazid and rifampicin the disease is know as Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.Primary cuase of Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is improper treatment and use of poor quality medicines. The treatment for drug resistant tuberculosis is very expensive and takes around 2 years.
Extra Knowledge:
The bacillus causing tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was identified and described on 24 March 1882 by Robert Koch. He received the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1905 for this discovery.
The bacillus causing tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was identified and described on 24 March 1882 by Robert Koch. He received the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1905 for this discovery.
Preventing tuberculosis:
Vaccinations: Infants are vaccinated with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine because it can prevent severe tuberculosis.
Staying away from tabacco: Better safe than sorry.
Education & awareness: Last but not the least. How to do it right now?
Simple. Do spread the word by simply recommending/sharing this article.
Vaccinations: Infants are vaccinated with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine because it can prevent severe tuberculosis.
Staying away from tabacco: Better safe than sorry.
Education & awareness: Last but not the least. How to do it right now?
Simple. Do spread the word by simply recommending/sharing this article.
