On World TB Day, Dr Subhakar Kandi, Senior Pulmomologist, Kamineni Hospital talks about tuberculosis treatment, diagnosis and need of the hour
World TB day is observed on March 24 each year to raise public awareness and understanding about one of the world’s deadliest infectious killer-tuberculosis. Government launches various programs to create awareness about TB and to recognise the people who have worked for TB.
WHO estimates there are around 10 million TB cases every year in the world. Unfortunately, 1/4th of the global burden of TB in India. On average 1 infected person can transmit the disease from 10-15 people.
Every year 1lakh women are affected by TB. As we are unaware of that fact it is not a hereditary disease, it is transmitted from person to person by spitting, laughing, talking, coughing which leads to spreading. A person should maintain distance, wear masks, and sanitise hands for prevention of TB, unlike COVID. It mainly affects lungs (80 per cent) the remaining 20 per cent can affect any organ of the body like lymph nodes, bones, joints, skin except nails and hair.
There is a lack of awareness among people which leads to delay in diagnosis. In India, as per report, the available person with presumptive TB symptoms takes an average 3 months and the patient can be diagnosed with a simple test called sputum examination which is available free of cost in government hospitals, private hospitals, and all teaching hospitals.
Stopping the treatment in middle leads to a lot of complications and drug resistance commonly called as multi drug resistance tuberculosis or extremely drug resistance tuberculosis which will be more dangerous than normal tuberculosis & needs prolonged treatment. Treatments are available free of cost in government and private hospitals.
WHO has come up with a strategy to end tuberculosis by 2030. Prime Minister Modi has come up with ambiguous 2025 to end tuberculosis. Patients should be diagnosed early and start medications early for its complete treatment and every case is notified.
Nowadays India is facing lots of challenges to fight against TB. Some of the major challenges in India are listed below-
- Immunosuppressive conditions like HIV, diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), smoking, and malourishment.
- The COVID pandemic has caused havoc in the tuberculosis elimination program and create hurdles to eliminate TB by 2030.