Each year, to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic, February 24 is observed as the TB Prevention Day.
One third population of the world is in grips of tuberculosis and if the mortality rate is considered then it is the second largest life threatening disease after HIV AIDS. TB is caused due to the mycobac terium which generally infect lungs, but barring the nails and hairs all other organs are prone to TB, Dr Sushant Meshram, the head of the respiratory disorder department of GMCH said that the TB is of two types one is latent and second is active. In latent the bacteria is inactive and no symptoms are visible but there is 10 percent chances of turning the latent bacteria into active.
The bacteria transmit from infected patient to healthy patients through coughing or sneezing. The latent bacteria got active in smokers, diabetic, HIV or AIDS patients. The common symptoms of the disease are coughing more than two or three weeks, blood in cough, fever in evening, reduction in appetite and weight, weakness, frequent constipation or loose motions.
The appearance of TB bacillus is a standard test, but it is not possible in all cases. Aspiration cytology, spit test and tissue biopsy are few of the diagnosis tests. The quantifier on TB test and other immunological tests are also helpful in diagnosis. In few cases there is need of preservation of the TB bacteria.
