Tuberculosis: How Not to Be Infected
By Dr. Oyedotun Oyejide
#
Today all over the world, millions of people are painfully dying from tuberculosis due to many reasons. One of such is the failure of developed nations failure and shortfall in research and development funding’s for the disease.
TB, according to an article reviewed by Dr. Garvin Petrie on www.netdoctor.co.uk, is a chronic disease caused by an infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It affects mostly the lungs. However, the infection can spread through blood vessels from the lungs to all organs in the body if not treated on time. But, according to the world Health Organisation, [WHO] factsheet, the disease typically attacks the lung.
This means that a person can develop tuberculosis in the pleura [the covering of the lungs], in the bones, the urinary tract and sexual organs, the intestines and even the skin.
A person may contract pulmonary tuberculosis from inhaling droplets from a cough or sneeze by an infected person. The disease is most common in parts of the world where poverty, malnutrition, poor general health and social disruption are present. Also, the disease was most commonly found in places such as hostels for the homeless, prisons, and centres for immigrants arriving from areas with high rates of HIV infection or inadequate health provision.
Most infections do not have symptoms. About one in 10 latent infections eventually progress which, if left untreated, can kill more than 50 percent of those so affected.
Therefore, if you don’t want to get killed by tuberculosis, you must get treated on time. I lost a classmate when I was young in the primary school, as a result of this terrible disease.
The classic symptoms of an active TB infection are a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats and rapid weight loss, giving rise to the formerly common term ‘’ consumption.’’
TB is the most common life-threatening disease and the number one killer among people living with HIV [PLHIV]. It is equally worthy to note that children also bear the brunt of this disease.
TB is a major threat to the right of the child, adolescents and their families. Its potential negative impact on the survival, growth and development of children.
To say the plain truth, tuberculosis remains an epidemic in most parts of the world, causing the deaths of nearly one-an-a-half million people each year, mostly in developing countries. The rise in this diseases is awesome!
According to a research, about one third of the world’s population has latent TB, which means, people have been infected by the TB bacteria, but are not yet ill and cannot transmit the disease. However, the ten percent of people infected with TB have a lifetime risk of falling ill.
Meanwhile, a person with comprised immune system such a person living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling sick or ill. The poor communities and vulnerable groups are mostly affected.
Solutions:
TB relies on radiology [commonly chest x-rays] as well as microscopic examination and microbiological culture of body fluids.
‘’ Diagnosis of latent TB relies on the tuber-culin- Skin Test [TST] and /or blood tests’’
The treatment is often difficult and requires administration of multiple antibiotics over a long period of time. Social contacts are also screened and treated if necessary.
TB is a disease that could be prevented by screening and vaccination with the Bacillus Chalmette-Guerin [BCG] Vaccine. Most of the TB drugs are usually available free in many countries of the world.
The early and fast diagnosis of all forms of TB is vital and highly crucial. It improves the chances of people getting the right treatment and cured, and it helps stop the spread of drug resistant disease in our society. Also, it is advisable that whoever coughs for two or more weeks should contact health officials for diagnosis for TB.
Equally, there is a strong need to educate health care providers, patients and communities. All TB patients should also be screened for diabetes. Also, the people must be conscious of the discovery of the Multi-Drug Resistant TB types currently reported in some health care delivery institutions. The best way to prevent the resistant TB is to get people to take the whole course of standard TB drugs.
Diabetes caregivers and their patients need to be equally aware of the risk of TB, and patients born in or travelling to neighbourhood or countries where TB is common should be screened. And if TB is found or discovered, these patients must be treated fast.
There is also a strong need for investment in research and development of TB vaccines, rapid and inexpensive diagnostic methods for both TB and diabetes, and fast-acting, easy-to-take TB medications. #news #Featured #ForYourInformation #Africa #opinion #Worldnews #humaninterest #ForDiscussion #health #WhattheHell #lifestyle #Education #
By Dr. Oyedotun Oyejide
#
Today all over the world, millions of people are painfully dying from tuberculosis due to many reasons. One of such is the failure of developed nations failure and shortfall in research and development funding’s for the disease.
TB, according to an article reviewed by Dr. Garvin Petrie on www.netdoctor.co.uk, is a chronic disease caused by an infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It affects mostly the lungs. However, the infection can spread through blood vessels from the lungs to all organs in the body if not treated on time. But, according to the world Health Organisation, [WHO] factsheet, the disease typically attacks the lung.
This means that a person can develop tuberculosis in the pleura [the covering of the lungs], in the bones, the urinary tract and sexual organs, the intestines and even the skin.
A person may contract pulmonary tuberculosis from inhaling droplets from a cough or sneeze by an infected person. The disease is most common in parts of the world where poverty, malnutrition, poor general health and social disruption are present. Also, the disease was most commonly found in places such as hostels for the homeless, prisons, and centres for immigrants arriving from areas with high rates of HIV infection or inadequate health provision.
Most infections do not have symptoms. About one in 10 latent infections eventually progress which, if left untreated, can kill more than 50 percent of those so affected.
Therefore, if you don’t want to get killed by tuberculosis, you must get treated on time. I lost a classmate when I was young in the primary school, as a result of this terrible disease.
The classic symptoms of an active TB infection are a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats and rapid weight loss, giving rise to the formerly common term ‘’ consumption.’’
TB is the most common life-threatening disease and the number one killer among people living with HIV [PLHIV]. It is equally worthy to note that children also bear the brunt of this disease.
TB is a major threat to the right of the child, adolescents and their families. Its potential negative impact on the survival, growth and development of children.
To say the plain truth, tuberculosis remains an epidemic in most parts of the world, causing the deaths of nearly one-an-a-half million people each year, mostly in developing countries. The rise in this diseases is awesome!
According to a research, about one third of the world’s population has latent TB, which means, people have been infected by the TB bacteria, but are not yet ill and cannot transmit the disease. However, the ten percent of people infected with TB have a lifetime risk of falling ill.
Meanwhile, a person with comprised immune system such a person living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling sick or ill. The poor communities and vulnerable groups are mostly affected.
Solutions:
TB relies on radiology [commonly chest x-rays] as well as microscopic examination and microbiological culture of body fluids.
‘’ Diagnosis of latent TB relies on the tuber-culin- Skin Test [TST] and /or blood tests’’
The treatment is often difficult and requires administration of multiple antibiotics over a long period of time. Social contacts are also screened and treated if necessary.
TB is a disease that could be prevented by screening and vaccination with the Bacillus Chalmette-Guerin [BCG] Vaccine. Most of the TB drugs are usually available free in many countries of the world.
The early and fast diagnosis of all forms of TB is vital and highly crucial. It improves the chances of people getting the right treatment and cured, and it helps stop the spread of drug resistant disease in our society. Also, it is advisable that whoever coughs for two or more weeks should contact health officials for diagnosis for TB.
Equally, there is a strong need to educate health care providers, patients and communities. All TB patients should also be screened for diabetes. Also, the people must be conscious of the discovery of the Multi-Drug Resistant TB types currently reported in some health care delivery institutions. The best way to prevent the resistant TB is to get people to take the whole course of standard TB drugs.
Diabetes caregivers and their patients need to be equally aware of the risk of TB, and patients born in or travelling to neighbourhood or countries where TB is common should be screened. And if TB is found or discovered, these patients must be treated fast.
There is also a strong need for investment in research and development of TB vaccines, rapid and inexpensive diagnostic methods for both TB and diabetes, and fast-acting, easy-to-take TB medications. #news #Featured #ForYourInformation #Africa #opinion #Worldnews #humaninterest #ForDiscussion #health #WhattheHell #lifestyle #Education #
