It
is evident that tuberculosis was already an existing disease thousands of years
ago. It then becomes a major problem in the western world when the industrial
revolution was crowded urban living condition favoured. It is a communicable
disease suffered by all age. It is a problem in communities.
is evident that tuberculosis was already an existing disease thousands of years
ago. It then becomes a major problem in the western world when the industrial
revolution was crowded urban living condition favoured. It is a communicable
disease suffered by all age. It is a problem in communities.
Although
it is curable but many die of it, meanwhile it has been estimated worldwide
that about 1.7 billions of people are infected with tuberculosis and each year,
5.8 million new cases occur.
it is curable but many die of it, meanwhile it has been estimated worldwide
that about 1.7 billions of people are infected with tuberculosis and each year,
5.8 million new cases occur.
Therefore,
tuberculosis can be defined as a disease that affects the lungs which spread in
a microscopic droplet that is released into the air when someone with untreated
active tuberculosis coughs, sneeze or spit and it is caused by infection with
mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a chronic contagious easily spread disease
that can affect anyone.
tuberculosis can be defined as a disease that affects the lungs which spread in
a microscopic droplet that is released into the air when someone with untreated
active tuberculosis coughs, sneeze or spit and it is caused by infection with
mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a chronic contagious easily spread disease
that can affect anyone.
Tuberculosis
usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. The
classical symptoms are a chronic cough with blood stained sputum, fever, night
sweat and weight loss. Infection of other organs causes a wide range of
symptoms. Diagnosis relies on radiology (commonly chest x-rays), a tuberculin
skin test, blood test as well as microbiological culture of bodily fluids.
Treatment is difficult and requires long courses of multiple antibiotics.
Contacts are also screened (extensively), multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.
Prevention relies on screening programmes and vaccination, usually BCG
(Bacillus Calmette Guerine vaccine) (Jasmer, 2002).
usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. The
classical symptoms are a chronic cough with blood stained sputum, fever, night
sweat and weight loss. Infection of other organs causes a wide range of
symptoms. Diagnosis relies on radiology (commonly chest x-rays), a tuberculin
skin test, blood test as well as microbiological culture of bodily fluids.
Treatment is difficult and requires long courses of multiple antibiotics.
Contacts are also screened (extensively), multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.
Prevention relies on screening programmes and vaccination, usually BCG
(Bacillus Calmette Guerine vaccine) (Jasmer, 2002).
Tuberculosis
treatment can take the following course:
treatment can take the following course:
·
Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis
·
General measures
General measures
·
Chemotherapy (drugs) such as streptomycin, INH +Thiacedazene, INH +
Ethambutol pyridoxine.
Chemotherapy (drugs) such as streptomycin, INH +Thiacedazene, INH +
Ethambutol pyridoxine.
·
Adequate nutrition
Adequate nutrition
·
Adequate rest.
Adequate rest.
o Meanwhile the disease tuberculosis can be prevented
and controlled through the following measures:
and controlled through the following measures:
·
Isolation in hospital wards.
Isolation in hospital wards.
·
BCG (Baccili Calmatte Guerine vaccination) vaccination of infected
tuberculin negative person.
BCG (Baccili Calmatte Guerine vaccination) vaccination of infected
tuberculin negative person.
·
Availability of medical laboratories and x-ray facilities.
Availability of medical laboratories and x-ray facilities.
·
Improvement of living conditions
Improvement of living conditions
However,
there are complications leading to this disease.
there are complications leading to this disease.
·
Genital complication
Genital complication
·
Urinary complication
Urinary complication
·
Bone or spinal cord complication.
Bone or spinal cord complication.
·
Pulmonary complication
Pulmonary complication
A
physical case disability that is susceptible in tuberculosis can be
rehabilitated retraining for alternative employment. Health educating the
relatives and communities is very important and this can be achieved through
the health workers.
physical case disability that is susceptible in tuberculosis can be
rehabilitated retraining for alternative employment. Health educating the
relatives and communities is very important and this can be achieved through
the health workers.
