Contrary to popular perception, anyone can be affected by tuberculosis (TB). Since it is airborne, if you are near a person with TB, you could contract the disease too. It can spread when a person coughs, speaks or even sings. To create awareness on TB, the World Health Organization (WHO) observes World Tuberculosis Day on March 24 every year. Increasing public awareness about the harmful outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) can boost attempts to cease the worldwide TB epidemic. Around nine million people are affected with TB every year, making it the second-biggest killer globally, according to WHO.
Could you or your loved one be suffering from TB? It is better to recognise the symptoms early to curb the disease sooner than later. Here are some of the symptoms of TB, that you should be aware of this World Tuberculosis Day:
1. A persistent cough: Although a cough and cold are a common ailment, the persistent cough could be a sign of something more serious. If symptoms include coughing up blood, it could point to TB. A cough that lasts more than three weeks with no sign of improvement needs immediate attention from a physician.
2. Chest pain:
Normally, chest pain is characterised by a heart or respiratory problem. However, if you feel pain in your chest or have trouble while breathing or coughing, it could be a sign of tuberculosis (TB).
3. Weight loss:
Normally, one loses weight when your changes are made to the diet, or if a person has been ill for a while. However, if there is severe unexplained weight loss along with a loss of appetite, one could be affected by TB. If you notice such symptoms, you must get yourself checked by a physician.
4. Fatigue:
After a hard day’s work or at the end of a strenuous workout, it is normal to feel tired. However, if you feel tired all the time for no apparent reason, it could be a cause for concern. Unexplained fatigue accompanied by shortness of breath could be a sign of TB.
5. Fever:
Fever is a common ailment that affects most of us. Usually, some amount of care along with over-the-counter pills is enough to cure it. When you experience fever, chills and night sweats consistently, it could be a sign of TB.
Tuberculosis can affect other parts of your body:
a. Bone infection causing spinal and joint deterioration
b. Meningitis when TB affects the brain
c. Impair kidney functions and lead to blood in the urine (if the liver is infected)
d. Cardiac tamponade if TB affects the heart. This leads to an impairment of the heart’s ability to pump blood.
Treatment of TB starts only after you are diagnosed with the disease. To detect TB, you may have to undergo chest X-ray, tuberculin skin tests, blood or sputum tests.
How to prevent TB?
You can prevent TB by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You can avail a BCG vaccine that can protect you against the disease. Make sure your surroundings are clean; your home has natural light, and good hygiene to prevent the TB bacteria from spreading.
One is more susceptible to TB if he/she is from a low socioeconomic status, living in cramped living conditions or addicted to alcohol, suffering from immunodeficiency disorders or even having a weak immune system. The chances of health care professionals around TB patients, contracting the disease are also high.
If you or a loved one experiences any of the listed symptoms, make sure you are tested immediately. To stay protected against TB, maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your surroundings clean and tidy. In some cases, despite timely detection or the number of precautions you take, TB can be hard to beat. This could lead to huge medical bills and financial drain.
Conclusion
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