Today is World Tuberculosis Day. every year on March 24th, the Stop Tuberculosis Partnership (STP) has chosen this date to create awareness about tuberculosis (TB). Historically, this date was also the birthday of when Dr. Robert Koch discovered the bacteria, tuberculosis bacillus as the cause of this deadly disease in 1882.

With more than 100 years since the discovery of TB, it still remains an epidemic in much of the world today. Tuberculosis is the world’s seventh-leading cause of death. 1.8 million people died from tuberculosis last year, and it is estimated that three people died from TB every minute. it is one of three most deadly diseases that affect the underprivileged, with the other two being AIDS and malaria.

This year’s theme is “On the move against Tuberculosis” with the goal of eliminating tuberculosis by 2015. besides leveraging on more resources at all levels to accelerate the fight against tuberculosis, STP aims to promote this day as a day of inspiration for both individuals and companies to participate in their action plan.

to achieve their goal, they are seeking the public to help them:

• Find new and Better Tools to Fight Tuberculosis

  More resources must be allocated to turn scientific discoveries into new and better drugs, diagnostics and vaccines. it is also essential to increase the availability, accessibility and efficiency of tuberculosis services to the masses. according to the report, there were calls for commitment of US$ 1.1 billion for tuberculosis research in 2010, but there was a US$ 0.6 billion funding shortfall. With nearly two million people dying from tuberculosis annually, such research cannot be relegated to the backseat.

• Forge new and Stronger Partnerships to Reach the Global Targets

  With only 5 years to go before the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to combat tuberculosis, it is important that innovative approaches are put in place in the most efficient manner. all stakeholders, such as drug manufacturers, donors, public health officials need to collaborate and accelerate in making these new medical breakthroughs a standard of care as quickly as possible in order to meet the MDG target to stop TB.

We are optimistic that the MDG goal of stopping tuberculosis can be realized by 2015, as long as individuals take the initiative to seek treatment upon suffering symptoms, and researchers continue to source for better treatments for patients worldwide.

Tuberculosis is a contagious respiratory disease. it is akin to the common cold as it spreads through the air when infectious people cough, sneeze, talk or spit. a person needs only to inhale a small amount of airborne germs to be infected. You don’t get TB through physical contact, such as touching the clothes or shaking the hands of someone who is infected. Instead, TB is spread primarily from person to person by breathing infected air during close contact.

Tuberculosis is generally classified as being either latent or active. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are present in the body, but they are inactive. Hence, latent TB is not contagious. Infected people may not feel ill or show any symptoms if their immune system can keep the bacteria under control. their chest X-ray even looks normal, so the only way to diagnose is through skin test or tuberculosis blood test.

Fortunately, latent TB is curable and can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing active TB. Treatment with isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide for first two months, followed by isoniazid and rifampicin for four months has known to be successful.

In fact, being infected by latent TB is not uncommon. according to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2 billion people in the world are currently infected with it. however, only about 5% – 10% will become sick with active TB at some time in their lives, usually within two years of the infection. People living with HIV are at a much higher risk. The vast majority of TB deaths are in the developing world, with majority of them happened in Asia as a third of new cases come from India and China.

Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs, but it can also affect organs in the central nervous system, lymphatic system and circulatory system. When a person becomes infected with tuberculosis, the bacteria in the lungs would multiply and usually cause a local lung infection called pneumonia.

Common symptoms of pulmonary TB are

• a cough that lasts for more than two weeks
• blood stains when coughing
• feeling weak or fatigue
• fever
• loss of appetite
• pain in the chest
• sweating at night
• unexplained weight loss

if you have these symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately. an early stage of TB is curable. go to a local communicable disease centre (CDC) for tuberculosis testing now!

You can play a part to help prevent the spread of tuberculosis by:

• covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• not spitting on the ground
• seeking treatment if you suspect you have tuberculosis symptoms
• ventilating your houses, offices or other enclosed areas by allowing the movement of fresh air
• washing your hands frequently especially when you have been around people suffering from chronic coughs
• wearing a mask when you go to crowded public areas

Given the widespread of latent TB around the world, it is important to keep yourself fit and healthy knowing that the onset of active TB only triggers when your immune system is weak. You can keep yourself in the top condition by having a balanced diet daily, exercising regularly and abstaining from alcohol, drugs and smoking. For more tips on how you can have a healthy lifestyle, you can always refer to “How to start a Healthy Lifestyle?” article.

Share and Enjoy: