What is TB: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention
World Tuberculosis Day: Know The Symptoms And Causes: Each year, 24th March is observed as World TB Day. TB is a disease caused by a bacterium. If the count of these bacteria rises, they get settled in the chest and make the person weak. If this disease is not cured on time, it can even cause death.
TB bacteria were found on March 24, 1882, and it took years to know and cure them. Approximately 1 crore people in the world are affected by this disease every year, of which approximately 25 to 30 lakh patients are from India.
Two forms of TB:
pulmonary TB
Extrapulmonary TB
TB Causes:
Tuberculosis can result from numerous conditions. When a tuberculosis patient sneezes, coughs and spits, the TB bacteria become airborne in the air he breaths out. The bacteria survive for several hours in the air and even a healthy individual can easily fall prey to it.
Tuberculosis can be caused by various conditions. When TB bacteria are transported to the lungs via the breath, they increase in number and destroy the lungs. The body’s immunity, however, stops it from growing, but when this immunity becomes weak, the chances of contracting TB become more. If some precautions are observed by taking care of the cause of tuberculosis, then its risk can be minimized.
What is TB, and how does it spread?
TB is a disease that is transmitted in the air from person to person. When the ill subject coughs, sneezes, or talks, infected fine liquid droplets are airborne. When a healthy person inhales them, they can also become infected with TB.
What are the signs of TB at the beginning?
The signs of TB do not develop immediately. Most people ignore them, thinking it is a cold or cough. But if the signs persist for more than 2 weeks, then one should have it evaluated by a doctor.
Persistent cough (especially with mucus or blood).
Unexplained weight loss.
Persistent tiredness.
Minor fever (especially at night).
Night sweats.
Loss of appetite.
Pain or shortness of breath in the chest.
If TB spreads to other parts of the body, different symptoms are noticed, such as bone pain, joint swelling, and formation of lumps in the neck or body. Most of these abnormal symptoms start to manifest. Sometimes TB disease also infects bones. A wound is formed there, and pus starts oozing out of it. This wound lasts for a long period of time. But if the treatment is started on time, there is also hope for recovery.
Prevention of TB
Get vaccinated with BCG- This vaccine is given to babies as soon as they are born so that they do not become victims of TB. Keep yourself distant from the infected individual- If someone has TB, don’t sit near them and cover your nose and mouth with a mask. Practice hygiene- Wash hands frequently and keep yourself clean. Eat a balanced diet- Healthy food makes the body strong. Get proper treatment- If you get TB, take full treatment as per the doctor’s advice and do not stop medicines in between.
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