Every year on March 24, the world observes World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, aiming to raise awareness about tuberculosis—a severe global health threat affecting millions. This day marks the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882, a breakthrough that laid the foundation for diagnosing and treating TB. Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally.

Understanding Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily targeting the lungs. However, TB can affect other organs like the kidneys, spine, brain, and skin. The disease spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, or breathes, releasing tiny droplets into the air, which others may inhale.

Causes and Risk Factors of TB

TB infection occurs when a person inhales TB bacteria. However, not everyone exposed to TB will develop the disease. Several factors can increase the risk of progressing from latent TB infection to active TB disease:

Weakened Immune System: Individuals with compromised immunity due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, organ transplantation, or certain cancers are more susceptible to TB.
Diabetes: High blood sugar levels impair the immune response, increasing TB risk.
Malnutrition: Poor nutrition weakens the body’s defenses, making it harder to fight TB.
Tobacco and Alcohol Use: Smoking damages the lungs and reduces immunity, while excessive alcohol consumption affects the immune system.
Close Contact with TB Patients: Living or working in close quarters with someone who has active TB, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces, significantly raises the risk.
Living Conditions: Overcrowded, poorly ventilated environments increase TB transmission.
Age: The elderly and very young children are more susceptible due to weaker immune defenses.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

TB symptoms vary based on whether the infection is latent or active. Latent TB presents no symptoms, but active TB causes symptoms when the bacteria multiply and spread in the body. Common symptoms include:

Persistent cough (lasting more than three weeks), sometimes with blood or sputum.
Chest pain during breathing or coughing.
Unexplained weight loss.
Fever and night sweats.
Fatigue and weakness.
Loss of appetite.
Shortness of breath.

If TB spreads beyond the lungs (extrapulmonary TB), symptoms depend on the affected organ, including back pain (spine), blood in the urine (kidneys), or confusion (brain).

Diagnosing Tuberculosis

Early diagnosis is crucial for TB management and reducing transmission. The WHO recommends several diagnostic methods for TB:

Rapid Molecular Tests: Tools like Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and Truenat provide quick and accurate results, detecting TB bacteria and drug resistance.
Tuberculin Skin Test (TST): Also known as the Mantoux test, it involves injecting a small amount of purified protein derivative (PPD) into the skin. A raised bump indicates TB exposure.
Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA): A blood test measuring the immune response to TB bacteria.
Chest X-Ray: Identifies lung damage associated with active TB.
Sputum Test: Microscopic examination of sputum samples detects TB bacteria.
Culture Test: Growing TB bacteria from sputum or tissue samples confirms TB and identifies drug resistance.

Accurate and early diagnosis is vital for effective treatment and preventing drug-resistant TB strains.

Treatment of Tuberculosis

TB treatment requires a long-term commitment to antibiotic therapy. The standard treatment involves a combination of drugs over 4 to 6 months, including:

Isoniazid
Rifampicin
Pyrazinamide
Ethambutol

Completing the full course of treatment is crucial to prevent multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), where bacteria no longer respond to standard antibiotics. MDR-TB treatment is more complex, expensive, and lasts up to two years with second-line drugs.

For extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), treatment options are limited and often require newer, more potent drugs under close medical supervision.

Patients undergoing TB treatment must adhere strictly to their medication schedule to ensure cure and avoid resistance development.

Prevention of Tuberculosis

Preventing TB involves medical interventions and personal hygiene practices:

Early Diagnosis and Treatment: Seeking prompt medical care when TB symptoms appear can reduce transmission and complications.
BCG Vaccine: The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is administered to newborns in many countries, including India. It provides protection against severe TB forms, especially in children.
TB Preventive Therapy (TPT): Individuals at high risk, such as those with latent TB or HIV, can take preventive treatment to stop TB bacteria from becoming active.
Personal Hygiene Practices: Covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, wearing masks in crowded places, and proper disposal of sputum help prevent TB spread.
Ventilation: Improving airflow in indoor spaces reduces TB bacteria concentration in the air.
Nutrition: A balanced diet strengthens the immune system, reducing TB risk.
Regular Health Checkups: Routine screenings, especially for high-risk groups, enable early TB detection.

The Significance of World Tuberculosis Day

World TB Day serves as a reminder that TB remains a significant health threat and underscores the importance of global efforts to eliminate the disease. The day promotes:

Raising awareness about TB symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
Reducing stigma around TB patients, encouraging them to seek treatment early.
Highlighting global efforts to eradicate TB by 2030, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Encouraging governments and health agencies to invest in TB research, diagnostics, and treatment programs.

The theme for World TB Day 2025 is expected to focus on enhancing TB care accessibility and improving early diagnosis and treatment.

TB in India: Challenges and Progress

India carries the highest TB burden globally, accounting for approximately 26% of global TB cases, according to WHO. In 2023, India reported over 2.6 million TB cases, highlighting the need for improved TB control measures.

The National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) aims to eliminate TB by 2025 through:

Increasing TB diagnosis and treatment access.
Expanding the use of rapid molecular diagnostic tests.
Providing free treatment and medications.
Educating the public about TB symptoms and prevention.
Ensuring adherence to treatment regimens to prevent drug resistance.

Recent efforts include expanding TB diagnostic centers, improving TB surveillance, and providing nutritional support to TB patients, critical for recovery.

Living with Tuberculosis

TB is curable, and patients can recover fully with proper treatment and care. It is essential for TB patients to:

Adhere strictly to the prescribed medication schedule.
Attend regular medical check-ups to monitor treatment progress.
Maintain a healthy diet to support the immune system.
Avoid smoking and alcohol to enhance recovery.
Inform close contacts to get screened for TB.

Support from family, community, and healthcare providers plays a crucial role in the recovery of TB patients.

Tuberculosis remains a major public health concern, but with early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and preventive measures, it is a preventable and curable disease. World TB Day 2025 serves as a vital reminder of the need to continue global efforts to eliminate TB and improve health outcomes.

By raising awareness, improving diagnostics, and ensuring treatment adherence, we can work towards a TB-free world.