World Tuberculosis Day
World TB Day is a day to educate the public about the impact of TB around the world. March 24 marks the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of TB in 1882.
Tuberculosis (TB) an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other opportunistic bacteria such as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC, M. avium & M. intracellulare), M. kansasii, M. bovis and M. fortuitum.
Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs (as pulmonary TB) but can also affect the CNS, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, the GIT, bones, joints, and even the skin. Every year, 10 million people fall ill with tuberculosis (TB). HIV-infected patients with M. tuberculosis infection are 100 times more likely to develop active TB than normal hosts. Patients with underlying immune suppression (e.g., renal failure, cancer, and immunosuppressive drug treatment) have 4-16 times greater risk than other patients.
TB is diagnosed by FB Microscopy, Mycobacterial Culture, Nucleic Acid Amplification, Drug Susceptibility Testing etc
Symptoms of TB include: fever, weight loss, productive cough, night sweats
The Indian Government efforts at control of TB through Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP)
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease. This vaccine is not widely used in the United States, but it is often given to infants and small children in other countries where TB is common. BCG should be considered for only very select people who meet specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert.
