March 24 each year is designed to build public awareness that tuberculosis remains an epidemic in much of the world, causing deaths of nearly one and a half million people each year, mostly in developing countries.


It commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus.


The theme for world TB Day 2017 is ''UNITE TO END TB'' (www.who.int)


WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS

TB is a communicable disease caused by a type of bacterium known as MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS(commonly referred to as TB bacilli). it mainly attacks the lungs, causing pulmonary TB (PTB). the bacteria can also attack other parts of the body such as the spine, lymph nodes, brain,kidneys e.t.c. this is known as extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB).


TRANSMISSION OF TUBERCULOSIS

TB is an airborne disease I. e it is transmitted through the inhalation of air contaminated with TB bacilli into air, therefore transmission is more intense in crowded area , poorly ventilated space with little ambient of sunlight. it can also be transmitted through unprotected cough, sneeze e. t. c from an infected person to and uninfected person.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TUBERCULOSIS

1. persistent cough for 2weeks or more(it might be less).
2. shortness of breath.
3. loss of appetite.
4. fever
5. weight loss.
6. night sweat.
7. tiredness.
8. chest pain.
9. coughing up blood (haemoptysis).
while signs and symptoms of EPTB depends on the site involved

HOW TO DIAGNOSE TUBERCULOSIS

TB can be diagnosed in the laboratory and this rest mainly on the identification of the tubercle bacilli by any of the following Laboratory methods available.
1. AFB microscopy
2. Genexpert MTB/RIF
3. Culture
this is carried out by collection of a quality clinical specimen which is majorly sputum specimen.


DIAGNOSIS CENTERS.

Each of the 774 local government of Nigeria has at least three diagnosis center with double treatment centers to make accesment easy.

TREATMENT and DIAGNOSIS IS FREE.
INFORMATION IS POWER, CONTACT THE NEAREST HEALTH CENTER IF YOU HAVE OR NOTICE ANY ONE WITH ANY OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AS MENTIONED ABOVE.

*..dnt allow any private hospital to unduely expose you to x-ray radiation during investigation.


*Go to the state teaching hospitals for treatment, from where you may be sent to the closest centre to yr house...


**For more info, call: 08033086660, 08023213333



SOURCE: NAIRALAND.COM

j

.

Terrible disease that almost killed my brother years ago. I saw hell staying with him in the hospital in the midst of hundreds of other TB patients.

Bad Day

Lalasticlala, na true say TB dey for inside cat body, abi u no sabi cat as snake...