TB Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis, and Related Information:
In a world grappling with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, another ancient scourge, tuberculosis (TB), continues to pose significant health concerns. Recent trends reveal a complex picture marked by some progress but also significant challenges in the battle against this infectious disease.
TB, caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) bacteria, primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. The disease is contagious and potentially life-threatening if not treated appropriately.
Globally, TB continues to be a major health issue, with about 10 million new cases annually as of recent years. Among children under 15, the age-standardized incidence rate has declined by about 2.4% per year from 1990 to 2021, with mortality decreasing by 4.19% annually. However, children under 5 remain particularly vulnerable, accounting for over 75% of TB-related deaths in that age group.
In adults aged 60 and above, there has been a general decline in TB incidence and mortality, but challenges persist, especially related to drug-resistant strains. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted TB control efforts, causing a setback in detection rates and increasing global TB mortality for the first time since 2005, with 1.6 million deaths in 2021 and a reported rise in cases to 8.2 million in 2023, the highest recorded since 1995.
While overall TB resistance rates have shown a downward trend over the long term, drug-resistant TB (including multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)) has increased significantly in recent years. The elderly population especially is experiencing a rising burden of MDR-TB and XDR-TB, and forecasts predict this trend will continue through at least 2035.
Addressing drug-resistant TB remains a priority globally due to its increasing incidence despite general progress in drug-susceptible TB control. In the United States, while detailed recent data were not part of the search results, trends generally reflect low TB incidence compared to global hotspots, with ongoing vigilance required for MDR-TB cases and the impact of COVID-19 disruptions on diagnosis and treatment adherence.
Everyone with TB needs treatment, regardless of whether the infection is active or latent. Without medical intervention, TB becomes active in 10% of people with the infection. Treatment for active TB may involve taking several drugs for an extended period. A person can have TB bacteria in their body and never develop symptoms (latent TB).
In some countries, children receive the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine as part of a regular immunization program, but it is not recommended for most people in the U.S. due to potential interferences with TB skin tests. To test for active TB disease, a doctor may recommend a sputum test and a chest X-ray. If a person stops taking their medication early, some bacteria can survive and become resistant to antibiotics.
The risk of developing active TB is higher in anyone with a weakened immune system, older adults, young children, people who inject recreational drugs, and people who have not previously received appropriate treatment for TB. Symptoms of active TB include a persistent cough, phlegm, fatigue, fever, chills, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
TB is a reportable disease to each state's department of health, and treatment plans are provided regardless of immigration status, insurance coverage, or socioeconomic status. Anyone with a high risk of developing TB or symptoms of the disease should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
In summary, globally, TB incidence and mortality had been declining before COVID-19 but have seen setbacks recently, with drug resistance among TB strains rising, particularly MDR-TB and XDR-TB. These trends highlight ongoing challenges in TB control worldwide, including in the United States, necessitating sustained and targeted public health interventions.
- The disease affecting primarily the lungs, called spondylitis, can also impact other body parts, just like tuberculosis (TB).
- Bipolar, depression, and anxiety can be chronic diseases, much like asthma and COPD, which are respiratory conditions.
- Mindful management of health-and-wellness is essential in preventing the progression of conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis.
- A doctor may recommend a Predictive Screening Analysis (PSA) for prostate cancer, similar to a sputum test for active TB disease.
- In some medical-conditions, the symptoms can be subtle, like the mm (multiple myeloma), a cancer of the plasma cells, which can progress without noticeable signs or symptoms.
- The elderly population is experiencing a rising burden of drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB and XDR-TB), just as there is a growing incidence of bipolar disorder in the elderly.
- A person can have the TB bacteria in their body without developing symptoms (latent TB), just like someone can have bipolar disorder undiagnosed for years.
- It is essential to discuss chronic diseases, such as depression, asthma, COPD, and even health-and-wellness practices, with a healthcare provider to ensure proper management and treatment.
