Unmasking Tuberculosis

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Andreea Ch
Picture Credit

Andreea Ch

Tuberculosis, or TB, is one of the oldest diseases known to humanity. Evidence of TB has been found in the bones of ancient Egyptians, and it is believed to have existed for more than 15,000 years. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, TB was a major cause of death in Europe and North America, and it was known as the “white plague” due to the pallor of those affected.

The discovery of the TB bacterium in 1882 by Robert Koch paved the way for better understanding of the disease and development of treatments. The introduction of the BCG vaccine in 1921 also helped to reduce the incidence of TB, particularly in children.

However, the emergence of drug-resistant strains in the 1980s and 1990s posed a new challenge to TB control. Today, TB remains a major global health threat, with an estimated 10 million people developing TB each year and 1.4 million dying from the disease. The World Health Organization has declared TB a global health emergency and is working to accelerate efforts to end the TB epidemic by 2030.

Infection

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The bacteria can then be inhaled by a person nearby and enter their lungs, where they can cause infection. People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, are at a higher risk of getting TB. Other risk factors for TB include living or working in crowded or poorly ventilated environments, smoking, and malnutrition.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) vary depending on which part of the body is affected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common symptoms of TB include:

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