Guest Class about Tuberculosis

Ms. VijayaKumar, Co-ordinator-TB Healthcentre, Kollam , had taken a guest class on 18th November 2014 about Tuberculosis . He explained about the Tuberculosis and its causes. The class was started by saying that Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), is today one of the world's largest non- governmental organizations (NGOs). Adopting Community Health as its focus, CHAI has been successfully implementing community health interventions throughout India.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that are spread through the air from person to person. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. Symptoms of TB disease depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB disease symptoms may include:

• A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer.
• Pain in the chest.
• Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
• Weakness or fatigue.
• Weight loss.
• No appetite.
• Chills.
• Fever.

Antibiotics are used in the treatment of Tuberculosis (TB). Antibiotic treatment therapy is lengthy and you have to take them for six to 12 months to completely destroy the bacteria. The length of treatment and the type of drug that is needed is determined by your age, overall health, the results of susceptibility tests, and whether you have TB infection or active TB. The BCG vaccine is now recommended for everyone who does not have a natural immunity or who has been exposed to the disease.