Tuberculosis - A Major Threat To Public Health

Jan 23
17:55

2016

Pooja Relan

Pooja Relan

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A chronic bacterial disease, Tuberculosis (TB) usually infects the lungs, albeit other organs like spine, brain or kidneys are in some cases involved. Highly contagious, TB spread through droplets when the person carrying the infection coughs or sneezes.

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The Stages Of TB1) Exposure - This happens when a person has been in contact with,Tuberculosis - A Major Threat To Public Health Articles or presented to, someone carrying the TB infection. The person exposed will have a normal chest X-ray, negative skin test and no visible signs or symptoms of the disease. 2) Latent TB infection - This happens when a person’s body is carrying the TB bacteria without any visible symptoms of the disease. This is because the person’s immune system provides immunity against the bacteria and thus, the disease remain in its dormant state all through the person’s life. For such cases, a person would have a positive skin test with a normal chest X-ray. 3) TB disease - This portrays the individual who has signs and symptoms of an active TB infection. The individual would have a positive skin test and a positive chest X-ray.

Who Is At Risk?Some developed countries and other health institutions that provide information and Online Medical Instruments India in form their consumers that TB can happen to individuals of all ages, races, salary levels, and both sexes. Those at higher risk incorporate -1) People who live or work with other people who have TB 2) Medically underserved populaces 3) Homeless individuals 4) People from different nations where TB is predominant 5) People in group settings, for example, nursing homes 6) People addicted to alcohol or drugs7) People who use intravenous medications 8) People with weakened immune system9) The elderly 10) Health care professionals who interact with high-risk populaces

Symptoms of TB1) Cough that won't go away 2) Fatigue 3) Chest Pain4) Loss of appetite5) Fever6) Unintended weight loss7) Poor growth in kids 8) Chills or night sweat9) Coughing blood or sputum

Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) and Its Challenges to Public Health in the World  Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) is a type of tuberculosis that is caused by an organism that is resistant to the main drugs used for the treatment of TB. It is an air borne infection and mainly spreads through air. When a person suffering from TB coughs, sneezes, sings or speaks, bacteria are released into the air that remains in air for a few hours. People who remain in such an environment gets infected and this is how the disease spread.

Cause of MDR TBResistance to anti-TB drugs can occur when these remedies are not used properly. It happens when patients do not take their drugs as prescribed by the physician or they fail to complete the treatment. It may also occur when wrong medicines are prescribed by the physician in the wrong dosage and for an insufficient period of time. This kind of TB is most commonly seen in people who:• Develop recurrent attacks of TB after taking TB medicine in the past• Fail to get the proper treatment for TB in the past• Fail to take their medicine on time or on a regular basis• Spend considerable time with other people suffering from the same health problem• Live in the areas where most people suffer from this kind of infection

PreventionIn conclusion with sufficient support from developed countries and other health institutions that provide information and online medical instruments India,the best way to prevent MDR TB is to take the prescribed medicines regularly and on time. The treatment should be continued for the specified period of time and each dose should be taken on time. One should avoid contact with people suffering from the similar disease.

These symptoms may resemble other lung conditions or medical problems, hence it becomes imperative to consult the specialist for proper and accurate diagnosis.