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Tuberculosis or TB, a disease of the lungs, that sometimes infects other organs or tissues. TB has afflicted mankind for centuries. The organism that
causes TB has been found in Egyptian mummies. Formerly known as consumption,
the disease afflicted many famous people such as Frederick Chopin, John Keats,
and Robert Louis Stevenson. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium
Tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by infection with the Bacillus Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Its prevalence was quit common and un-controlled even in the developed countries till 40-50 years ago. Today, though, it is controlled in the developed countries, the developing and the under developed countries are still suffering from this scourge. Worldwide, the Annual Risk of Infection (ARI) of TB is reported to be 1 in 10,000; in Afghanistan, it is reported to be over 300 in 10,000 i.e. over 3% of the population. According to the latest WHO report, TB is again spreading all over the world, including the develop d countries. Tuberculosis combined with AIDS, is becoming more serious. According to this report 3 million people die every year due to TB in the world - the majority in African and Asian countries.
Symptoms
Symptoms of TB sickness include coughing, weight loss, chest pain, fever and night sweats. The coughing may last for weeks and may produce sputum with blood.
Treatment
Short course chemotherapy is the base of treatment (6 months to 8 months). Short course chemotherapy is divided in two phases.
a. Initial Intensive Phase 2 months
b. Continuation Phase 6 months
Treatment Category
Three caterogies of the treatment for the different kinds of Tuberculosis are as follows:-
Category 1
New smear positive pulmonary TB, seriously ill TB patients, TB meningitis, spinal TB and milliray TB treating in category 1.
a. Initial Intensive Phase 2 months. HRZE or HRZS
b. Continuation Phase 6 months. HE or HT
Category 2
Relapse, failure and treatment aftr interruption.
a. Initial Intensive Phase 2 months. SHRZE / 1 month HRZe
b. Continuation Phase 5 months. HRE
Category 3
New smear negative pulmonary TB and Extra pulmonary TB (mainly TB adenitis).
a. Initial Intensive Phase 2 months.HRZ
b. Continuation Phase 6 months. HE or HT
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