World Tuberculosis Day - March 24

World Tuberculosis Day, observed on 24 March each year, is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease

World TB Day is one of eight official Global Public Health Campaigns marked by the World Health Organisation(WHO), along with

World Health Day

World Blood Donor Day

World Immunization Week

World Malaria Day

World No Tobacco Day

World Hepatitis Day

World Aids Day

The date was earmarked due to the discovery of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium, which is the main cause of TB, by German microbiologist Dr Robert Koch in 1882, when the disease had much of Europe and America under its grip.

At the 100th anniversary of the discovery, in 1982, the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) suggested that the day be observed as World Tuberculosis Day.

The 2018 theme for World Tuberculosis Day is “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-Free World.

We can make history. End TB”, which highlights the importance of engaging people from all across the world to put efforts to eliminate TB.

Symptoms

*Coughing that lasts for two or more weeks.
*Coughing up blood.
*Loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss.
*Fever, chills, night sweats and fatigue.

Diagnosis

Although TB is a serious disease, it is curable. It can occur in almost every part of the body — the most commonly affected areas being lungs, lymph nodes, intestine, bone and brain. Early diagnosis is crucial for the treatment of TB. The patient needs to follow a thorough line of treatment with regular follow-ups with the concerned doctor to cure TB completely.

The treatment depends on the type of tuberculosis — whether it is a drugged resistance TB or a scientific TB. So firstly, a correct diagnosis is required and the treatment and the duration of the treatment are planned accordingly, says Dr Shah.

The treatment usually consists of a combination of TB drugs that must be taken for at least six months, says Dr Agrawal. TB bacteria die very slowly, hence the drugs have to be taken for quite a few months. Chest X-ray is necessary if the coughing lasts for more than 2 weeks. The government provides free sputum examination for TB.