A Study on The Cause, Symptoms, and Treatment of Tuberculosis

March 24th is World Tuberculosis Day. Tuberculosis is a dangerous disease caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis, which affects many in developing countries today. It is primarily found in the lungs, but in other parts of the body as well. It is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the sputum of an affected individual. The disease has existed since ancient time. It is a very insidious disease; sometimes sufferers do not even display symptoms, while the disease wreaks havoc inside the body. Common symptoms of tuberculosis are fever, especially at night; a cough that lasts for more than three weeks and blood in the sputum; chills and shivers; a loss of appetite and weight loss.

Due to this drastic weight loss, tuberculosis was also known as consumption in the past, as the disease ‘consumes ’an individual. It also soon got the reputation as a ‘writer’s disease’ owing to the fact that many 18th and 19th century writers led reclusive lives inside their homes, had low immunity. The lack of vitamin D also makes individual susceptible to tuberculosis. Writers such as Franz Kafka, Henry David Thoreau and George Orwell all died of tuberculosis. Many writers and poets often wrote about their sickness. One of the common practices of treating tuberculosis was to send patients to sanatoriums- places with fresh air, away from cities. In fact, in colonial India, hill stations were built to accommodate sanatoriums and summer homes of British officials. The clean air of the mountains helped many patients recover.

Today, the treatment of tuberculosis is done through a variety of medications. Many different kinds of medication are given together to target how the bacteria synthesize and reproduce. However, tuberculosis causing bacteria are very resilient and form resistance to drugs very easily, which is why it remains important that patients remain regular with their medication. Unfortunately, many patients discontinue taking medication, as some of its side effects are very severe. It is for this reason tuberculosis continues to persist. In many countries tuberculosis treatment requires DoT , or Directly Observed Treatment, in which health service workers ensure patients take their medications.

Unlike the 18th and 19th century, tuberculosis no longer remains romanticized as consumption for writers . It is a partially preventable disease, so ensure that your child receives the BCG vaccine. Get plenty of fresh air and sunlight, as well as wholesome nutrition. If a cough persists for more than three weeks, see a doctor. Governments should ban spitting in public places, as infected sputum is a surefire way to get sick. It is important to pay attention to our bodies, and what they are trying to tell us.