What is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It mostly affects the lungs but can affect other body parts. TB is an infection of immense global impact. It is also known historically as "consumption" disease.It is preventable and it is curable.
How does one get TB?
TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they release TB germs into the air and another person can inhale it and become infected. These germs can stay in the air for several hours, and a person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.
What are the symptoms of TB?
The general symptoms of TB disease include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. The symptoms of TB disease of the lungs also include chest pain, cough (in which the patient may cough up sputum and/or blood. Symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the body depend on the area infected.
Facts about TB:
- It is the second greatest killer, worldwide, due to a single infectious agent (Second only to HIV/AIDS).
- TB is the leading killer of people living with HIV/AIDS (About one in four deaths among people with HIV is due to TB).
- Over 95% of cases and deaths are in developing countries (mainly in Asia 60% and in Sub-Saharan Africa)
- No country has ever eliminated this disease.
- About to 20 million lives have been saved since 1995 through DOTS and the Stop TB Strategy.
- All age groups are at risk, but it is young adults, in their most productive years that are most affected.
- People who are infected with HIV are more likely to become sick with TB (see TB and HIV section).
- Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of TB disease and death. More than 20% of TB cases worldwide are attributable to smoking
- HIV and TB form a lethal combination, each speeding the other's progress.
Prevention of TB
- Alexander Graham Bell – eminent scientist, engineer innovator and inventor, of the first ractical telephone
- George Orwell (1903–1950), British author of the novel Animal Farm , first suffered TB in the early 30s and died from it in 1950, at the age of 46.
- Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849), the great composer, died of consumption at age 39.Historical records indicate episodes of coughing blood during performances.
- John Calvin, leader of the Protestant Reformation
- Saint Thérèse de Lisieux also known as "The Little Flower of Jesus" or simply, "The Little Flower" died of tuberculosis in 1897.
- Desmond Tutu (South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid.) had TB as a child and was cured.
- John Henry "Doc" Holliday, famous gambler and gunslinger, suffered from tuberculosis until his death in 1887 re-enacted in the famous movie, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.
- Okita Soji (1844–1868), renowned samurai.
- King Edward VI (1537–1553) Died of tuberculosis at age 15 during his short reign as King of England.
We can all join hands to combat tuberculosis. How? By joining the cause to create awareness and protect yourself against TB.
- Immunization/ Vaccination with BCG; commonly done at birth/ childhood.
- Do not spend long periods of time in stuffy, enclosed rooms with anyone who has active TB until that person has been treated for at least 2 weeks.
- Use protective measures, such as face masks, if you work in a facility that cares for people who have untreated TB.
- If you live with someone who has active TB, help and encourage the person to follow treatment instructions.
- Also, methods of preventing spread of the germs in the air eg. covering one's mouth when coughing help reduce the spread.
- Treating infected people helps reduce the infectivity of the illness
- If you have been exposed to a TB patient please visit a doctor or seek medical advice.
TB is curable: About 51 million people with TB have been successfully treated since 1995. although treatment typically lasts for about 8 months to achieve a cure.
In countries like Nigeria, TB treatment is free. Patients are advised to visit government-owned hospitals and health centers to receive their medication.
Notable people who had TB
In countries like Nigeria, TB treatment is free. Patients are advised to visit government-owned hospitals and health centers to receive their medication.
Notable people who had TB
- George Orwell (1903–1950), British author of the novel Animal Farm , first suffered TB in the early 30s and died from it in 1950, at the age of 46.
- Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849), the great composer, died of consumption at age 39.Historical records indicate episodes of coughing blood during performances.
- John Calvin, leader of the Protestant Reformation
- Saint Thérèse de Lisieux also known as "The Little Flower of Jesus" or simply, "The Little Flower" died of tuberculosis in 1897.
- Desmond Tutu (South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid.) had TB as a child and was cured.
- John Henry "Doc" Holliday, famous gambler and gunslinger, suffered from tuberculosis until his death in 1887 re-enacted in the famous movie, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”.
- Okita Soji (1844–1868), renowned samurai.
- King Edward VI (1537–1553) Died of tuberculosis at age 15 during his short reign as King of England.
Article By Dr Obieze Nwanna - Nzewunwa
Source(s)
www.who.org
www.wikipedia.com
Comments
Post a Comment