World Tuberculosis Day: Time to End the Silent Pandemic

Highlights

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed on March 24th every year to raise awareness about this silent pandemic
The theme this year (2020) is ‘It’s Time’ to act upon the commitments made to eradicate TB
TB continues to remain the most infectious disease worldwide and one among the top 10 causes of death

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is commemorated every year on 24th March to raise public awareness about the devastating consequences of TB. The theme for this year (2020) is 'It's Time' to step up our efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

End Tuberculosis by 2030

Tuberculosis (TB) is still the world's deadliest infectious killer. Over 4000 people lose their lives to TB every year and about 30,000 people fall ill cause of TB, which is preventable and curable. Since the year 2000, about 58 million lives have been saved in the fight against TB.

In 1882, on this day, Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB, which opened ways to diagnose and treat this disease. The theme - 'It's Time' helps us to act on the commitments made by global leaders to:

scale-up access for TB prevention and treatment
build accountability
ensure sufficient & sustainable financing for TB research
raise awareness to end this stigma and discrimination, and
promote an equitable, rights-based and people-centered TB response.

‘World Tuberculosis (TB) Day observed every year on March 24th aids in creating awareness among the general public about the disease and its devastating consequences. The theme for this year 2020 is ‘It’s Time.’’

Facts and Statistics on Tuberculosis (TB)

Globally, every year, approximately 10 million people fall ill with TB
TB affects more men than women but has more devastating social consequences for women
About 11 percent of the TB cases occur in children below 15 years
Up to 13 million people in the United States are estimated to be living with latent TB infection
In 2018, a total of 1.5 million people died from TB
Between 2000 and 2018, about 58 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment
In India, approximately 220,000 deaths are reported due to TB every year
Also, TB is responsible for the death of every third AIDS patient in India
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is still a public health crisis and a health security threat
Globally, TB incidence is falling at about two percent every year. This needs to accelerate to a four to five percent annual decline to reach the 2020 milestones of the End TB Strategy
Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Coronavirus and Tuberculosis

New Coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading fast across boundaries to infect millions of people and animals. Already approved drugs might hold promise in treating coronavirus, reveal researchers.

Two Dutch universities are experimenting if the tuberculosis vaccine can offer some protection against the new coronavirus (Covid-19). The universities are looking into whether medical staff would be better protected against the coronavirus after being injected with the BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine. However, the vaccine does not protect against the virus but helps in improving the immune system.

Things to do on World TB Day

On account of World TB Day, various events and activities are being organized by various organizations around the globe to end the TB stigma. Some ways in which we can get involved include:

Community discussion groups to discuss ways to prevent TB
Award ceremonies or other events can be organized to honor the life and work of those who dedicated their lives to prevent and fight TB
Photo exhibitions can be held to raise awareness of TB worldwide
Charity events can be held to raise funds to control the disease
Government agencies can broadcast and print ways to fight the disease
Social media posting can help promote real-life stories to create awareness on TB

This year, due to COVID-19, TB events and activities will largely take place through print and electronic media. However, let's continue to raise awareness about this silent pandemic on this World Tuberculosis Day and ensure that no one is left behind. Stay safe, Stay healthy.

References :

World Tuberculosis Day 2020 - (https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2020/03/24/default-calendar/world-tuberculosis-day-2020)
World TB Day 2020 - (https://www.cdc.gov/tb/worldtbday/default.htm)
World Tuberculosis Day - (https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-tuberculosis-day)
DOES TB VACCINE HELP FIGHT CORONAVIRUS? EXPERIMENT STARTS AT TWO DUTCH HOSPITALS - (https://nltimes.nl/2020/03/18/tb-vaccine-help-fight-coronavirus-experiment-starts-two-dutch-hospitals)

Source: Medindia

Diet in Tuberculosis

Patients with tuberculosis should eat a healthy diet so that they build up their immunity to fight against tuberculosis.

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a globally serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It occurs as multidrug-resistant or MDR TB or in its more severe form, extensively drug-resistant or XDR TB.

Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Extra pulmonary tuberculosis is infection of tissues and organs other than the lungs by mycobacterium tuberculosis and related organisms.

Skin Tuberculosis

Skin tuberculosis is a rare form of tuberculosis that occurs outside the lung. Infection is exogenous through contact or internally from another infectious site.

Cough Symptom Evaluation

Cough is a symptom of a condition usually affecting the respiratory tract. It may be acute or chronic, wet or dry. The type of cough can help the physician diagnose the underlying condition.

Fever

Fever or Pyrexia is an elevation in normal body temperature. Causes of fever include infections, injury, cancers, inflammation, hormonal, metabolic and genetic diseases.

Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the space between the two coverings (pleura) of the lung. The ability of the lung to expand is affected.

Screening Tests for Tuberculosis

Tuberculin skin test and Interferon – Release Assays are tests used to screen for tuberculosis.

Silicosis

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline free silica dust. It is characterised by nodular pulmonary fibrosis.

Stomach Tuberculosis

Abdominal tuberculosis, which is a form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, affects the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, pancreas, liver, peritoneum, omentum and lymph nodes adjacent to these organs.