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World Tuberculosis Day occurs every March 24th. A day designed to raise public awareness that tuberculosis remains an epidemic in much of the world, causing the deaths of nearly one-and-a-half million people each year, mostly in developing countries.World TB day commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. At the time of Koch's announcement in Berlin, TB was raging through Europe and the Americas, causing the death of one out of every seven people. Koch's discovery opened the way towards diagnosing and curing TB.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are about nine million new cases of TB globally each year, of which approximately 1.5 million people die from the disease.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are about nine million new cases of TB globally each year, of which approximately 1.5 million people die from the disease.
What is TB?
TB is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the active respiratory disease. The good news is that tuberculosis is curable and preventable.
In healthy people, infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis often causes no symptoms, since the person's immune system acts to “wall off” the bacteria. The symptoms of active TB of the lung are coughing, sometimes with sputum or blood, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Tuberculosis is treatable with a six-month course of antibiotics.
Approximately 15% of the population is estimated to have been infected with the TB bacteria. Moreover, about 5-10% of those infected with TB will likely experience symptoms and develop TB disease according to the World Health Organization.
Who is at risk of TB?
Individuals with latent TB infection may carry the bacteria without feeling sick or being contagious, meaning they do not display symptoms. It’s crucial to note that infants and children are at higher risk for this disease. Certain habits or conditions increase a person’s risk of developing tuberculosis disease:
- Diabetes (elevated blood sugar levels),
- Weakened immune system (such as HIV or AIDS),
- Malnutrition,
- Tobacco use.
When a person contracts TB disease, unlike TB infection, they will exhibit symptoms. Symptoms can be mild, increasing the likelihood of spreading the disease to others unknowingly.
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Symptoms of TB
It's worth noting that symptoms depend on where the TB cells become active. Typically, tuberculosis bacteria affect the lungs initially, but they can also impact the kidneys, brain, spine, and skin.
Common symptoms of TB include:
- Prolonged cough (sometimes with blood)
- Chest pain
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Night sweats
TB and HIV
TB remains the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, accounting for one in three AIDS-related deaths every year – around 390 000 of 1.2 million AIDS-related deaths in 2014. In addition, around 480 000 people in 2014 developed multidrug-resistant TB. As with HIV, poorer communities and populations affected by stigma and discrimination are most vulnerable to infection.
Prevention against tuberculosis
Prevention against tuberculosis is critical. According to the World Health Organization, it’s recommended to follow these steps to help prevent tuberculosis infection and spread:
- Early recognition of symptoms: If you experience prolonged cough, fever, or significant weight loss, seek early treatment for TB. This can help stop the disease and improve the chance of recovery.
- Special considerations for higher risk groups: Individuals with HIV or those in close contact with TB patients in their workplace or household are at higher risk. Regular testing is advised for these groups.
- Completing prescribed treatment: If you have been prescribed treatment to prevent TB, make sure to complete the full course as directed.
- Maintaining good hygiene: If you are aware that you have tuberculosis, take steps to prevent spreading the bacteria. Practice good hygiene when coughing, such as avoiding close contact with others, wearing a mask covering both the mouth and nose, and properly disposing of used tissues.
- Environmental measures: Installing respirators and improving ventilation in healthcare and other institutions is also recommended to reduce the risk of TB transmission.
Ending tuberculosis requires political commitment
Adopted in 2014, the World Health Organization’s END TB Strategy recognizes that ending the TB epidemic hinges on better policy-making at an international, regional and national level as well as stronger action to increase social protection, reduce poverty and tackle other determinants that increase people’s vulnerability to infection. The strengthening of health-care capacities will also be an important factor in reaching the goals of reducing TB deaths by 95% and new cases of TB by 90% by 2035.
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