World Tuberculosis Day

"Each year, we recognize World TB Day on March 24. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB)". It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys, or spine. TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and others breathe in the bacteria. TB can manifest in two forms: latent TB infection and active TB disease. In latent TB infection, the bacteria remain dormant in the body and don't cause symptoms. However, they can become active at a later stage and cause TB disease, especially if the immune system becomes weakened. Active TB disease presents with symptoms such as a persistent cough, chest pain, weight loss, fatigue, fever, and night sweats. TB is a treatable and curable disease, typically with a combination of antibiotics taken for several months. However, it requires strict adherence to treatment to ensure successful recovery and to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of TB. Vaccines like the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine are also available to prevent TB, although their effectiveness varies. Control and prevention efforts, including early detection, proper treatment, and infection control measures, are essential in reducing the spread of TB within communities.