Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

TB is a serious public health problem, causing deaths of millions of people each year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the disease is more prevalent in low-income countries with poor health infrastructure and inadequate access to healthcare.

This year’s World Tuberculosis Day, which is marked on March 24th every year, focuses on the urgent need to increase access to quality TB care worldwide.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. However, it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys or spine.

TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can spread from person to person through the air.

When an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, tiny droplets containing the bacteria can be inhaled by others nearby. Once the bacteria enter the lungs, they can cause symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath and fever.

However, some people who are infected with the TB bacteria might not develop symptoms at all. This is called latent TB. In such cases, the bacteria remain dormant in the body and do not cause any harm.

However, if the person’s immune system becomes weak, such as due to aging, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS or other infections, the dormant TB bacteria can become active and cause the disease.

Prevalence of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, according to WHO. In 2019, an estimated 10 million people worldwide fell ill with TB, and 1.4 million died from the disease.

Although TB is a global problem, it is more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. In fact, over 95% of TB deaths occur in these countries.

The reasons for TB’s high prevalence in these regions include poverty, overcrowding, malnutrition, weak healthcare infrastructure and high rates of HIV/AIDS.

The Impact of COVID-19 on TB

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the TB crisis, according to WHO. The pandemic’s disruptions to TB services, such as access to testing, treatment and care, have worsened TB outcomes and led to more deaths.

In 2020, WHO estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic could cause an additional 200,000 deaths from TB in 2020-2021 alone. This highlights the urgent need to strengthen efforts to control both TB and COVID-19.

Treating Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is treatable and curable with proper medication. The standard TB treatment is a combination of four antibiotics, typically taken for six months.

However, the treatment duration and regimen can vary depending on the type of TB and the patient’s response to treatment.

When TB is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the chances of cure are high.

However, if left untreated or inadequately treated, TB can result in serious complications, such as multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), which is more difficult to treat and can take up to two years of medication.

The Urgency of TB Care

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of universal health coverage, which includes access to quality TB care.

WHO and partners are calling for increased efforts to overcome the barriers to TB care and improve access to testing, treatment and care for all, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

This year’s World Tuberculosis Day theme, “The clock is ticking,” emphasizes the urgency of accelerating efforts to end TB.

WHO aims to achieve the global End TB Strategy targets of a 90% reduction in TB deaths and an 80% reduction in TB incidence by 2030. To achieve this, WHO and partners urge national and international leaders to commit to TB care as a priority, increase funding for TB research and innovation, and enhance community engagement and awareness.

Conclusion

Tuberculosis remains a significant global health threat, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the TB crisis and underscores the need for universal health coverage and increased access to quality TB care.

As we mark World Tuberculosis Day, let us renew our commitment to ending TB and prioritize TB care as a public health priority.