Dr. Vishal Kumar Chitikeshi

Consultant Clinical and Interventional Pulmonologist

KIMS Hospitals, Sec-bad

Over the past 2 decades, the incidence of tuberculosis in India is decreasing. On the contrary, the incidence of multi-drug resistant TB is increasing especially in new-onset diagnosed with TB.

There is a huge need for creating awareness even amongst the medical fraternity regarding the different types of diagnostics available for diagnosing TB and drug resistance which are based on nucleic acid amplification i’e DNA-based tests. These tests have revolutionized the diagnosis of TB in a very early stage.

In the treatment aspects, the availability of new drugs for drug-resistant TB, like bed aquiline and Delamanid has helped many patients recover from this disease in a shorter duration.

Smoking(active and passive), tobacco chewing, alcohol, malnutrition, diabetes, HIV, old age, construction and quarry workers, overcrowding, household contacts of TB patients, etc. are at increased risk of developing TB disease. Any person with a cough for more than 2 weeks, fever for more than 2 weeks, significant weight loss, hemoptysis (coughing blood), etc., and any abnormality in a chest radiograph should be evaluated for TB. Similar symptoms are seen in children also which are often neglected.

Sputum microscopy or RT PCR, Chest X-ray, or other investigations like Biopsy, ultrasound, etc. as advised by the doctor are to be done to identify TB. If tested positive there is no need to worry, medicines should be used as prescribed by your doctor regularly without fail. Any side effects noted are to be reported immediately. Stopping/irregular use of drugs leads to drug resistance or disease relapse. Drug-resistant bacteria require more drugs, longer treatment regimens, and lesser success rates. However, newer effective drugs like Bed aquiline and Dalianis have led to injection-free, all-oral regimens for all types of Drug Resistant-TB with improved success rates.

Some common misbeliefs among the public such as – TB is incurable, drugs for the treatment of TB can harm the patient, TB can cause impotence and sterility, TB is hereditary, Spreads by unsafe sex practices, handshaking, etc. causes patients to keep their condition a secret for fear of being shunned, even by their family members. People should stop stigmatizing TB, start speaking about TB, give moral support to TB patients, spread awareness among others, utilize all the government services, and take part in ending this “preventable and curable” disease.