Tuberculosis

Major effort is needed related to tuberculosis (TB) that since three million out of an estimated nine million new TB cases were not getting the proper treatment. World tuberculosis awareness today declare it remains a top infectious killer. In 2013, TB is accounted for 1.5 million deaths across the world and the largest number of new TB cases occurred in South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions, accounting for 56% cases globally.

What is tuberculosis? 

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis that most often affect the lungs. It spreads from person to person through the air contact and can be transmitted through cough, sneeze or spit from an infected person.

Are you at risk?

It is very important to know your risk factors of tuberculosis as follows:

• All age groups are at risk but TB mostly affects young adults in their productive years 
• People with compromised immune system (i.e. people with HIV-positive) 
• Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of TB

What are the symptoms?
These are the common symptoms of TB:

• Cough with sputum and blood at times
• Chest pains
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Night sweats

The symptoms may be mild for many months even if you have developed active TB. To ensure for having tuberculosis you can have sputum smear microscopy test or other TB test. The test is important for further treatment.

Facts of Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis (TB) is second only to HIV/AIDS as the greatest killer worldwide.
• In 2013, 9 million people fell ill with TB and 1.5 million died from the disease.
• In 2013, an estimated 550.000 children became ill with TB and 80 000 HIV-negative children died of TB
• Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and it is among the top 5 causes of death for women aged 15 to 44.
• TB is a leading killer of HIV-positive people causing one fourth of all HIV-related deaths.
• Globally in 2013, an estimated 480.000 people developed multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB).
• The TB death rate dropped 45% between 1990 and 2013.
• An estimated 37 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment between 2000 and 2013.

Know your risk factors, and admit yourself to do TB test for preventive measure and treatment. Let’s celebrate World TB Day 2015 by actively take part in promoting awareness and take action to reduce the transmission of Tuberculosis around the world.

Tuberculosis is curable and preventable!