Tuberculosis: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

COLOMBO (News 1st); Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a significant health concern.

The disease spreads when the bacteria enter the tissues of another person from an infected individual, leading to an infection. However, not everyone infected with the bacteria develops TB; it typically occurs when the person's immune system is weakened.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that one in ten people infected with the TB bacteria will develop the disease. 

Contributing factors include malnutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, overexertion, and living in poorly ventilated areas.

Symptoms of TB include:
- Persistent low-grade fever
- Cough lasting more than 3-4 weeks
- Night sweats and fever
- Weight loss or gradual weight reduction
- Coughing up blood in small amounts
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite

Health authorities emphasize that TB is a completely curable disease, with diagnostic facilities available in district hospitals across the country. 

To prevent the spread of TB, doctors recommend several measures:

1. Ensuring good ventilation and sunlight in living spaces by keeping windows and doors open.

2. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco use.

3. Covering the mouth with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing.

4. Avoiding spitting in public places.

A TB awareness program was recently held in front of the old Bogambara Prison in Kandy, organized by the Central Province Health Department's TB Prevention Center and Kandy National Hospital. 

Dr. Dushyantha Medagedara from Kandy National Hospital highlighted the global impact of TB, noting that approximately 2 million people die from the disease annually. 

"Approximately 2 million people succumb to tuberculosis (TB) each year. Every minute, somewhere in the world, someone contracts this disease. Annually, millions of new cases are reported, with around 8 to 10 million new infections. TB is a disease that can affect all organs of the body," he said.

"Raising awareness is crucial for this. Early diagnosis allows us to treat the disease completely, minimize damage, reduce mortality, and prevent the spread to others."

He stressed the importance of early detection and awareness to prevent the spread and ensure complete recovery.