Author: Allan Clark
Indian medical practitioners are now discovering that low immunity and lung inflammation could potentially increase the risk of tuberculosis in Covid patients who suffered the illness during its second wave.
Low Immunity, Lung Inflammation Increases TB Risk In 2nd Wave Covid Patients, Doctors Get Cases In Uttar Pradesh.
Medical experts now believe that low immunity and lung inflammation lead to an increased risk of Tuberculosis in patients who suffered from severe Covid during the second wave.
Doctor Rajendra Prasad, a prestigious pulmonologist who spoke about his recent encounters with such patients, said: “Personally, I’ve come across multiple Tuberculosis patients who were severely affected by the coronavirus infection during the second wave last year.”
Doctor Ashok Yadav, the senior physician at SPM hospital, also said he discovered two patients with the same case, other doctors and physicians reported finding patients with the same.
“Your body needs enough time to heal and strengthen its immunity to combat infections. Unfortunately, during the second Covid wave, patients’ lungs became affected, boosting their susceptibility to catching infectious diseases. Since Tuberculosis has a high prevalence rate, this can be a critical problem,” he said.
“During the second wave, the treatment and diagnosis of tuberculosis fell under distress. Many patients failed to find much-needed drugs in time, and the Tuberculosis response chain broke,” Professor R.A.S. Kushwaha, Faculty at the respiratory medicine department of King George’s Medical University, said.
“As it unfolded, many Tuberculosis patients were left undiagnosed despite displaying symptoms of the typical cough, fever, and body weakness TB symptoms,” he added.
What Is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis often referred to as TB, is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium that primarily attacks the lungs. However, the bacterium can attack any part of the body, such as the brain, kidney, or spine.
Once called consumption disease, the World Health Organization estimates that about 1.5 million people globally died from Tuberculosis in 2020 alone.
It is the 13th leading cause of death globally and is the second highest infectious cause of death following the Coronavirus.
Tuberculosis, most times is curable and even preventable: under the right health conditions.
How Do I Know If I Am Infected With Tuberculosis?
Most people who come in contact with the Tuberculosis bacterium do not perceive any symptoms. That is known as latent TB. Latent TB can lay dormant for years in your system before activating into active TB disease.
Active Tuberculosis has several symptoms. These typically relate to the respiratory system but can still affect other body parts depending on where the bacterium grows.
Symptoms of Tuberculosis in The Lungs Include
- Chest pain
- Persistent coughing lasts for over three weeks
- Coughing of blood or phlegm
General Tuberculosis Symptoms
- Fevers and chills
- Unexplainable fatigue
- Weakness
- Loss of Appetite
- Excessive weight loss
- Night sweats
Tuberculosis Symptoms In Other Body Parts Include
- Kidneys: Blood in your urine, abdominal pain, hematuria, and kidney failure
- Back: Random muscle spasms, spinal irregularity, and back stiffness
- Brain: Fainting, confusion, vomiting, and nausea
What Should I Do If I Find Out I Am Infected?
You should immediately seek medical counsel from a certified physician if you find yourself experiencing any one of these symptoms. Also, remember that latent TB exists, and can live in your system for many years.
During that period, symptoms may not persist, making it impossible to know your status without a medical checkup. So if you feel you might be susceptible or your family has a record of the disease, immediately seek professional medical help.
Final Word
Tuberculosis is a dangerous infection that spreads through the air. Taking the TB vaccine and reducing your physical relations with people suffering from the disease can help reduce your risk of contracting it.
Additionally, if you have active Tuberculosis, it will take only a few weeks of continuous TB treatments to ensure you are no longer contagious. During this time, it can help to:
- Stay at home or try and keep to yourself until you have completed your medications
- Wear and regularly change your face mask and properly dispose of the tissues you cover your mouth with anytime you cough, sneeze, and laugh
- Ventilate your living spaces and rooms, as the Tuberculosis bacteria find it easier to spread in small stuffy places
