Tuberculosis kills about half a million people annually. The reason - the identification of the disease at a later stage, and in this case, the chance of recovery is very small. How could spread TB who is at risk?
Tuberculosis seems to many a relic of the past. However, the danger infected still exists in our time. And in quite affluent people.
According to WHO, tuberculosis annually claims the lives of almost half a million people. Unfortunately, Ukraine occupies a leading position in the list of countries for tuberculosis. The reason - the identification of the disease at a later stage, and in this case, the chances of recovery are very few.
Every year in Ukraine from TB kills about 4 million patients... By the way, tuberculosis has long ceased to be a disease of anti-social people, he briskly climbed up the social ladder. And today, among many successful cases, working people. At a meeting with the sick person become infected. But, fortunately, the disease does not develop at all.
15 million. Koch's bacillus allocates a day sick with active TB. they spread
within a radius of 1-6 meters.
Who is at risk?
- Young children, smokers and people whose body is weakened from chronic diseases (diabetes, abnormalities of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract).
- Sick and healthy person can, if he, for some reason, reduced immunity. For example, due to stress, lack of sleep or irregular supply. As a result - at a meeting with the infection the body can not withstand it.
- Spread misconception that the main symptom of tuberculosis - blood in the sputum. However, it appears at the advanced stage of the disease. In the initial stage of tuberculosis often it goes almost no symptoms. The only way to detect it in time, and therefore faster cure - at least once a year to be screened.
5 most important facts about tuberculosis: how to protect yourself / pixabay.com
Where do you get?
TB infection affects massaging allocation bacilli and duration of contact with the sick person. Therefore, most infected people who permanently live together with patients or working with him in the same team.
However, infection can theoretically occur in any crowded places. Including public transport. It is not necessary to be around carrier of infection. It suffices, for example, to breathe in air subway or bus in which remained Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a sick person.
Of course, this does not mean that people necessarily get sick with TB. Several possible scenarios.
Option 1: Infection occurs under favorable conditions for bacteria (decreased immunity) people really sick. According to statistics, out of 100 people infected with the tubercle bacillus, sick with tuberculosis about 5.
Option 2 developments: infection occurs, but the man never learns that in itself is. Infection is lifelong "nap" in the body and never not show.
Option 3: infection does not occur. There are people who are genetically resistant to mycobacteria. Many doctors believe that if an adult is not infected with tubercle bacillus, then most likely, it is protected from this genetically.
5 facts about tuberculosis
- 1/3 of the world's population (around 2 billion people) - the carriers of Koch's bacillus (WHO estimates). The pathogen is transmitted by airborne droplets with expectoration which identifies the patient by coughing.
- The infection can enter the body not only through air, but also by contact with household items used by the patient. And also through the water, dirty hands, unwashed fruits and vegetables, raw milk from sick cows.
- Koch's bacillus is very hardy and resistant to the external environment. Thus, in the dress she remains active for 3-4 months, in street dust - 10 days in the water - up to 150 days. In a dark moist environment at a constant temperature of 23 ° C lives up to 7 years.
- If a person has tuberculosis, it does not mean that it is dangerous. A man with a closed form can not infect anybody - in his sputum no pathogens. And he can receive treatment at home. Dangerous open form: in this case, the mycobacteria are allocated to the external environment.
- The big problem - drug resistant forms of tuberculosis. Most often they are caused by inadequate treatment.
How to protect yourself from tuberculosis
1. Vaccination. BCG at the moment - the only TB vaccine. The first child to make a shot right after birth. When he reaches 7 years old, the procedure is repeated. But these measures only reduce the risk, but do not protect against TB at 100%. Vaccines, which would give complete protection yet. While such developments take place.
2. Early diagnosis. In order to "catch" the disease at an early stage, adults need 1 once a year x-ray examination, and the children do Mantoux test or Diaskintest. Many are afraid to x-rays due to the fear of "exposure." However, most clinics are equipped with Low dose digital scanning devices. From the study of the radiation dose is very low, it does not harm the body.
3. Healthy lifestyle. In order to meet the body broke down with an infection, you need to eat right (it is important to get enough protein), not to exhaust yourself rigid diet, get enough sleep, do not smoke, move more.
And do not forget about basic security. If you are traveling in public transport, and a number of someone coughing hysterically, move away or leave altogether. Do not buy products that are sold in bulk without packaging (candy or cookies). It is possible that they got a passing phlegm of the sick person.
More information about tuberculosis read in the pages of the Partnership "Zupinimo tuberkuloz. Ukraine "
Also you will be interested to read this: 7 reasons to suspect at tuberculosis
