Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis is one of the commonest lung infections. It can be pulmonary tuberculosis or extrapulmonary tuberculosis. It can be drug sensitive tuberculosis or drug resistant tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is the causative organism for tuberculosis. Tuberculous infection is an example for airborne infection. Microbiologically positive pulmonary tuberculosis is the most important source of infection.
The National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTCP) of India was initiated in 1962. Later Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) was developed. Now in National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), all types of TB cases are diagnosed and treated.
A smear positive pulmonary TB patient may infect 10-15 other persons in a year and remain infectious for 2 to 3 years if left untreated.
Diabetes Mellitus, Smoking, immunocompromised states, malnutrition, HIV infection, alcoholism increase the risk of getting TB infections. Globally magnitude of tuberculosis infection is high.
Sputum Smear microscopy is the primary tool for rapidly diagnosing PTB along with WHO endorsed rapid molecular tests or culture. Diagnosis of TB by any microbiological tools and treatment for TB are available FREE of cost at all health facilities under the national TB programme.
Any patient with persistent cough for 2 weeks or more requires evaluation to rule out tuberculosis. TB patient can also have fever, hemoptysis, weight loss, anorexia or other symptoms depending on the site of infection.
Timely and precise diagnosis is critical for TB management. We help and refer patients diagnosed with tuberculosis to be registered under national TB programme.