Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health crisis that kills over 4,500 people every day. But what is tuberculosis? What are the risks associated with it? And most importantly, how can we help fight against it? Let’s take a look into this global pandemic and what we can do as individuals to make sure no one else has to suffer from it.

What Is TB?

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that primarily affects the lungs. However, it can also affect other organs such as the lymph nodes, bones, joints, kidneys, and brain. The main symptom of TB is coughing up blood or sputum containing mucus and pus. Other symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, fever and chills.

TB transmission occurs when someone with an active case of TB coughs or sneezes and releases droplets of saliva or mucus that contain the bacteria into the air for another person to breathe in. As such, it can be spread from person to person in close quarters such as hospitals or homes.

Treatment for TB includes antibiotics to kill the bacteria in your body over a period of time—usually 6 months or more—as well as proper nutrition and rest so your body can heal itself faster. If left untreated however, TB can be fatal.

NTEP & Global Efforts Against TB:

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 10 million people fell ill with TB in 2018 alone—but only 6 million were reported to them through their National Tuberculosis Elimination Programs (NTEP). This gap highlights just how important NTEPs are when it comes to fighting against this global pandemic—they not only provide accurate data on cases of TB but also lead local efforts to eliminate the disease within their countries by providing testing services, treatment plans and educational programs about prevention techniques like hand washing and proper hygiene practices.  

How Can We Help?

We all have a part to play in eliminating this deadly disease from our world! Here are some simple steps you can take right now to help fight against TB:

• Educate yourself on tuberculosis – The more you know about this disease and how it spreads the better equipped you will be to prevent its spread!
• Support organizations fighting against tuberculosis – Donating money or volunteering with these organizations will allow them to continue their work towards defeating this global pandemic!  
• Spread awareness – Share information about tuberculosis with your family members, friends and even coworkers who may not know much about it! This could go a long way towards raising awareness of this issue around the world!                                                                                                  

Conclusion:

Fighting against tuberculosis is an uphill battle but one that we must win if we want a better tomorrow for ourselves and our children. By educating ourselves on what exactly tuberculosis is and how we can help stop its spread through NTEPs or simply spreading awareness through our social circles we can make sure no one else has to suffer from this deadly disease ever again! So let’s get out there and do our part today!