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| image credit: Istock photos |
Every
year we celebrate the 24th of March as World TB (Tuberculosis) Day globally to
spread awareness into the masses about the devastating health impact of
tuberculosis and its financial and societal consequences around the
world.
By
raising the understanding of the disease can help those who are in high danger
and seeking treatment. If the individuals who are at risk are vaccinated
properly, the disease might be cured, and tuberculosis could be eliminated.
WHO
call for investment to end TB; save lives
On
World TB Day, WHO is highlighting the urgent need for national, international
and global stakeholders to invest at least US$ 3 billion annually in the
South-East Asia Region to avert nearly 4.5 million new TB cases and prevent
more than 1.5 million TB deaths by 2025. Globally, TB kills more than 4100
people every day. It makes close to 28,000 sick.
For
the first time in over a decade, TB deaths increased in 2020. Ongoing conflicts
across Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East have further exacerbated the
situation for vulnerable populations. Although 66 million lives have been saved
since 2000, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed those gains.
Global
spending on TB diagnostics, treatments and prevention in 2020 were less than
half of the global target of $13 billion annually by 2022. For research and
development, an extra $ 1.1 billion per year is needed.
In
all countries of the Region, social and economic support for TB patients must
be enhanced, better integrated into social protection services, and delineated
into measures that are TB-specific, TB-inclusive and TB-sensitive.
Updated
guidelines for the management of TB in children and adolescents released by
WHO highlight new patient-centred recommendations for diagnosis,
treatment and prevention.
The
most recent recommendations are diagnostic testing has expanded to include
non-invasive specimens, such as stools; rapid molecular diagnostics are
recommended as the initial test for TB diagnosis for children and adolescents;
and two of the newest TB medicines to treat drug resistant TB (bedaquiline and
delamanid) are now recommended for use in children of all ages, making it
possible for children with drug-resistant TB to receive all-oral treatment
regimens regardless of their age.
The
World Health Organization has also called for an urgent investment
of resources, support, care and information into the fight against tuberculosis
(TB) and to save lives and secure a more equitable and sustainable future for
all.
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| TB kills more than 4100 people every day |
What
is Tuberculosis,
Tuberculosis
is a droplet infection, caused by unique bacteria called Mycobacterium
Tuberculosis, low immunity or HIV. It not only affects the patient's
lungs, but it can also affect the brain, kidney and spine. There are two types
of TB- Pulmonary TB and Extrapulmonary TB.
The
most common symptoms of TB are continuous coughing that lasts for at least 3
weeks is the major symptom of Tuberculosis, chest pain, fatigue, unintentional
weight loss, fever, chills, weight loss and loss of appetite. TB can also cause
abdominal pain, joint pain, seizures and persistent headache.
This
infectious disease affects the lungs and spreads when an infected person
sneezes or coughs.
Treatment
Tuberculosis
is curable if detected early. The strain of TB is also important when treating
the disease. Treatment for latent TB involves taking antitubercular
medications. However, in the case of active TB, the affected ones may be
recommended to take several drugs for a duration of almost nine months,
the treatment becomes more complicated for patients with the drug-resistant strain
of TB.
Preventions
Good
immunity, healthy diet, regular exercising, adequate rest, and sugar control
can prevent people with TB.
Theme
of World Tuberculosis Day, 2022
This
year, World Tuberculosis Day 2022, the theme of World Tuberculosis Day is “invest
to End TB. Save Lives.” The theme focuses on the need for investments and
resources that are required to eradicate this disease. It's a way of conveying
these needs to global leaders to reinforce their commitment to fighting this
disease. The theme also ensures access to prevention and care of TB in order to
achieve Universal Health Coverage by WHO.
Things
to Know About Tuberculosis
-
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that kills 1.5 million people every
year.
-
TB is the 13th leading cause of death after COVID-19 (above HIV/AIDS).
-
TB is present in all countries and age groups.
-
Cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss are the symptoms of TB.
-
About one-quarter of the world's population is infected with TB bacteria but is
not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit it.
-
Nearly 66 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment between
2000 and 2020.
-
People infected with TB bacteria have a 5% to 10% lifetime risk of falling ill
with TB.
-
Alcohol use and smoking increase the risk of TB by a factor of 3.3 and 1.6,
respectively.
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People who are infected with HIV are 18 times more likely to develop active TB.
-
In 2020, there were 1.9 million new TB cases that were attributable to
undernutrition.
-
Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
-TB is a contagious infection that usually affects lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body such as brain and spine. It is an air borne disease. When a person inhales air particles, droplet nuclei, containing Mycobacterium Tubeculosis, it infects the person. It is curable but the medications need to be taken for a long period of time, usually 6 to 9 months.
-There are 2 types of TB
-Latent TB – The person neither shows any symptoms nor is he contagious. But there are chances that the bacteria will become active.
-Active TB – The person is contagious and can spread the disease by coughing or sneezing.
References:
World
TB Day - (https://stoptb.org/events/world_tb_day/)
Tuberculosis
(TB) - (https://www.cdc.gov/tb/worldtbday/default.htm)
World
Tuberculosis Day 2022 - (https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-tuberculosis-day-2022)
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