World Tuberculosis Day: History, significance, symptoms and 3 ways to treat it
Every year on March 24, World Tuberculosis Day aims to raise public awareness of the global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic and efforts to eradicate it. The 2023 World TB Day has as its theme "Yes! We can end TB!" It aims to inspire trust and empower high-level leadership, quicker take-up of new WHO suggestions, and coordinated efforts to battle the TB pandemic. A different topic is addressed on World TB Day each year. World Tuberculosis Day 2023 will focus on encouraging nations to make more progress in the lead-up to the UN High-Level Meeting on TB in 2023.
Medications will be used for at least six to nine months because it takes all of the bacteria at least six months to die.
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History and Significance
On March 24, 1882, Dr. Robert Koch shocked the scientific community by announcing to a select group of researchers at the University of Berlin's Institute of Hygiene that he had discovered the TB bacillus, the root cause of tuberculosis.
The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) proposed making March 24 the official World TB Day in 1982, one hundred years after Robert Koch's presentation. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis (IUATLD) carried out a year-long centennial celebration with the theme "Defeat TB: Now and always."
Symptoms
There are no symptoms in people with inactive TB. However, they may have a positive skin reaction test or blood test.
Symptoms of active TB can include any of the following:
A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
Chest pain
Coughing up blood
Feeling exhausted all the time
Night sweats
Chills
Fever
Loss of appetite
3 ways to cure it
If multiple symptoms are present, consult a doctor immediately. Isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide are the most frequently prescribed treatments for tuberculosis. Make sure to take your medication exactly as directed for the prescribed duration. Medication resistance has developed in some forms of tuberculosis. Your doctor will probably use more than one drug to treat TB, which is very important. Completing your whole prescription is vital.
Although TB is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can result in death, deaths are rare when treatment is completed. During treatment, most people do not require hospitalization.
Your doctor may prescribe one or more different medications to you if you have drug-resistant tuberculosis. They may have more side effects and require you to take them for a longer period of time—up to 30 months.