March is Tuberculosis (TB) Awareness Month, and every year, we observe World TB Day on March 24 to raise awareness about the serious health, social, and economic impact of TB. This day also serves as a call to action to accelerate global efforts to end the TB epidemic.

World TB Day marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch shocked the scientific community by announcing the discovery of the TB bacillus, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis. Despite medical advancements, TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. Every day, nearly 3,425 people die from TB, and around 30,000 new cases are recorded—despite the disease being both preventable and curable.

What is TB?

Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it mainly affects the lungs, TB bacteria can also infect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.

Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. The bacteria can remain in the body without causing illness, a condition known as latent TB infection. Most people who inhale TB bacteria can fight off the infection, preventing it from growing. Latent TB has no symptoms, does not make a person feel sick, and cannot be transmitted to others.

However, when the immune system is unable to contain the bacteria, TB becomes active. This is called TB disease, where the bacteria multiply in the body, causing symptoms and making the infected person contagious. Without treatment, latent TB can develop into active TB, which can be life-threatening if not properly treated.

TB Treatment and Prevention

TB is both preventable and curable. Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotics can successfully treat the disease. The type of treatment and duration depend on several factors, including:

• The person’s age and overall health
• Whether they have latent or active TB
• The location of the infection in the body
• Whether the strain of TB is drug-resistant

It is crucial to complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms disappear. Stopping treatment too early can allow surviving bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics, leading to drug-resistant TB, which is much harder to treat.

World TB Day: A Call to Action

World TB Day highlights the urgency of eliminating tuberculosis. The disease continues to affect millions of people worldwide, with severe health, social, and economic consequences.

This year’s theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” is a bold call for hope, action, and accountability in the fight against TB.

Sources:

• Department of Health RSA
• Humor Diagnostica
• World Health Organization