TUBERCULOSIS (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases responsible for millions of deaths annually across the world. One in three persons across the world representing 2–3 billion individuals are known to be infected with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (M. Tuberculosis) of which 5–15% are likely to develop active TB disease during their lifetime.
TB is an airborne bacterial infection caused by M. Tuberculosis which affects any part of the body and most commonly the lungs. It is exposed to the air as droplet nuclei from coughing, sneezing, shouting or singing of individuals with pulmonary or laryngeal TB. While TB is present in every country majority of TB sufferers live in low income and middle income countries especially in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia.
The transmission of tuberculosis occurs through inhalation of droplet nuclei which passes through the mouth or nasal cavities, the upper respiratory tract, bronchi and finally reaches the alveoli of the lungs.
According to World Health Organization, People ill with COVID-19 and TB show similar symptoms such as cough, fever and difficulty breathing. Both diseases attack primarily the lungs and although both biological agents transmit mainly through close contact, the incubation period from exposure to disease in TB is longer, often with a slow onset.
Other symptoms of TB include; coughing up blood, chest pain, loss of appetite, unexpected weight loss, night sweats, etc. In the case of extra-pulmonary TB presenting symptoms will often be dictated by the part of the body affected, although, some symptoms such as loss of appetite, night sweat and fever may be more general.
Common tests used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis include mantoux test, AFB and sputum gene expert, and the first line drugs used in the treatment of TB are; Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol.
Early diagnosis and treatment is essential in mitigating the rate of morbidity and mortality from the disease.
