According to WHO estimates, India has the world's largest tuberculosis epidemic. Symptoms:
The bacterium that causes TB is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Inactive tuberculosis means that one can even unconsciously and unknowingly acquire the bacteria for tuberculosis within them but not even know about it because it is inactive. Whereas, active tuberculosis is the start of the bacteria developing, and the signs and symptoms begin to be visible. This is when tuberculosis is active within you, and is a serious issue leading to even more serious results. Although the TB bacteria can infect any organ (e.g., kidney, lymph nodes, bones, joints) in the body, the disease commonly occurs in the lungs known as Pulmonary TB. Common symptoms include:
coughing that lasts longer than 2 weeks with green, yellow, or bloody sputum,
weight loss,
fatigue,
fever,
night sweats,
chills,
chest pain,
shortness of breath,
loss of appetite. Causes:
There is a specific bacterium that evolves inside your body to result in tuberculosis, known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium only spread throughout the body when a person has an active TB infection. One of many causes of acquiring TB is living a life with a weak immune system; everything becomes fragile, and an easy target. That is why HIV infected patients, babies, children and senior adults have a higher risk of adapting TB. The bacterium spreads in the air sacs, and passes off into the lungs, resulting in an infected immune system. In addition, coughing, sneezing, and even talking to someone can release the Mycobacterium into the air, consequently affecting the people breathing this air. It has been stated that your chances of becoming infected are higher if you come from – or travel to – certain countries where TB is common, and where there is a big proportion of homeless people. India, being the largest country with diagnosed patients, falls under this cause because it stands recognized as consuming a higher chance of gaining TB. Those listed are all the bodily and personal causes of acquiring TB, but tuberculosis in India is rich in its high rates because of the pollution dispersed throughout the country. Pollution causes many effects in the air the people breathe there, and since TB can be gained through air, the chances of TB remain high and in a consistent movement going uphill for India. Another major cause for the growth of TB in India has to do with it currently still standing as a developing country. Because its economy is still developing, the citizens are still fighting for their rights, and the structure of the country lies in poor evidence that it is not fit as other countries still. TB rises high in India because of the majority of people not being able to afford the treatment drugs prescribed to diagnosed patients. At present, only the 1.5 million patients already under the Indian government's care get free treatments for regular TB. That leaves patients who seek treatment in India's growing private sector to buy drugs for themselves, and most struggle to do that. Consequently, high priced treatment drugs and the struggles of “poor patients” also brawl through the poor treatment they receive in response to acquiring TB. “It is estimated that just 16% of patients with drug-resistant TB are receiving appropriate treatment”. To combat this huge problem, India has instated a new program to try to provide free drugs to all those infected in the country. Lastly, as high pricing is linked to the economic standings of India, which is linked to poor treatment, it all underlines the lack of education and background information practitioners and professionals hold for prescribing drugs, or those private therapy sessions. Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is a complex word, from a simple root: to seek knowledge. A Collaboration Agreement between India's Central TB Division (CTD), Ministry of Health, Government of India and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics was signed with the aim to demonstrate and address the introduction of new, rapid and quality-assured diagnostic tests for TB at affordable prices for the public health sector. Currently whole diagnosis procedure is free for public through out India under RNTCP programme. Basic Diagnostic Technique for Tuberculosis is Sputum Microscopy. Currently a widespread tests are being used under RNTCP programme supported by FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics) i.e. LPA, GeneXpert MTB/Rif, Liquid Culture and DST for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. All above tests are free of cost for Indian Citizens through out India wherever facility is available.
