Recent years clearly show that too soon we have announced the triumph of science and the victory - with the help of antibiotics - over the diseases that threaten us. The rapid attack of the recurring epidemic of tuberculosis in the world causes as many as 3 million deaths a year in the world. 8 million people are infected with tuberculosis every year.
The history of fighting disease
In Poland, after a temporary increase in the number of cases in 1991-1993, there were fewer cases of tuberculosis, also among children and adolescents. Epidemiological data show that despite the declining trend, several thousand new cases are reported every year (of which a significant percentage is referred to as recurrences, and nearly 40% of cases are observed in young people (20-44 years).
Mycobacteria are infected with 100% of Poles over 70 years of age
Few people realize that in Poland about 30% of people who are permanently infected are mycobacteria. Therefore, the risk of getting sick throughout life. The older they are, the more they grow - for example, infected with tuberculosis bacteria is 100% 70-year-olds!
Tuberculosis attacks the rich
Tuberculosis is a disease of poverty, slums, there you should look for its "old" outbreaks. But for a few years, this disease is also caught by well-off people who have a great job, etc. The reason for this wave of illness is - simplifying - just hard work, stress and an exhausting lifestyle. In addition, the "new" tuberculosis, drug-resistant - is the result of significant migrations of large population groups, which is also characteristic of our times.
The tuberculosis vaccine + caution
The vaccine protects against this dangerous disease. Repeated 4 times to 18 years of age, it will primarily prevent a serious, lethal form of the disease. However, mycobacteria resistant to treatment appear more and more - they are already behind our eastern border. To avoid the risk, at the first suspicions, it is necessary to confirm (or rule out) the disease as soon as possible.
Symptoms of tuberculosis
Disturbing symptoms that may indicate tuberculosis are: feeling general tiredness, coughing, expectoration in the morning.
Treatment of tuberculosis
According to the WHO recommendations, immediately start treatment with the four indicated preparations at the same time. Half-life immunizes germs, which is dangerous not only for the patient, but also for his surroundings.
The lack of screening and prophylaxis is a bad prognosis
Discontinuation of screening tests and discontinuation of other preventive measures is now considered to be wrong. It was the result of unjustified optimism. Especially that - due to the disappearance (in practice) of school medicine - it is not known how many children "slipped" from the immunization system, controls, etc. As in other infectious diseases, and here the lack of reliable data will cause that only a few dozen it will turn out to be what the health condition of today's children and young people is.
Tuberculosis favors the pauperization of a part of society
The fact that more and more children are undernourished today, the society is becoming poorer - and these are the conditions conducive to the development and spread of tuberculosis.
Rapid methods for detecting tuberculosis infection
Consumers can be quick methods of detecting TB infection and atypical mycobacteria. After detecting the presence of germs, the important information that determines the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment is to identify the species of mycobacteria and to determine the susceptibility of the strain. In recent years, methods and procedures that most often use molecular biology techniques have been introduced in laboratories involved in the diagnosis of tuberculosis.The effect of these activities is to significantly shorten the waiting time for the test result, which speeds up the initiation of treatment and makes it more effective.
