Tuberculosis (TB) : General Information

World TB Day is observed every year on March 24 to raise awareness about the infectious disease and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. On this day in 1882, Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. "The theme of World TB Day 2022 - 'Invest to End TB.

 Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.

What causes tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.

How does TB spread?

TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

Which are the symptom of TB?

Signs and symptoms of active TB include:

  • Coughing for three or more weeks.
  • Coughing up blood or mucus.
  • Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing.
  • Unintentional weight loss.
  • Fatigue.
  • Fever.
  • Night sweats.
  • Chills.

What is latent TB?

TB bacteria can live in the body without making you sick. This is called latent TB infection. In most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing. People with latent TB infection: Have no symptoms.

How is TB Disease Treated?

TB disease can be treated by taking several drugs for 6 to 12 months. It is very important that people who have TB disease finish the medicine, and take the drugs exactly as prescribed. If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can become sick again; if they do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs. TB that is resistant to drugs is harder and more expensive to treat. In some situations, staff of the local health department meet regularly with patients who have TB to watch them take their medications. This is called directly observed therapy (DOT). DOT helps the patient complete treatment in the least amount of time.

Credit : CDC

Picture Credit : Google 

Your aptitude



Is there any aptitude test for school-going kids, which can help parents decide what is the best career path for the child? At what age can such tests be taken? Can the aptitude clearly lay down an appropriate career like medical, engineering, management, civil services, etc? Or is the test general in nature? Also, apropos the article on homeopathy in May issue, what is the duration of BHMS? What is the maximum age at which one can take admission to a BHMS course?



Yes, school students are being administered a psychometric test, to help them realize their true potential. In classes IX and X, usually the level at which schools and counseling groups start administrating the test, the objective is to guide a student about the stream he should choose after class X, so that a student who is just not fit for sciences and is under peer and family influence, does not end up taking physics or biology that will ruin his studies. In class XI and XII the psychometric test guides a student about what types of career/jobs is the person suited for. The tests ask a whole lot of questions, and accordingly assess a person’s interest, aptitude and personality. They go a step ahead in preparing a road map for students – that is, what subject they should pursue after XII to fulfill their dream. These tests, rather than pinpointing a specific career, point a range of allied fields one can take up. Say, creative writing, journalism, advertising and electronic media are good options for those with strong linguistic skills.



Regarding your second question, the bachelor’s course in homeopathy is a 5 ½ year course, including one-year internship.



 



Picture Credit : Google


NEET Exam

I have appeared for the standard X Board exams and hope to study science and clear the MBBS entrance exam. Please tell me how to prepare for the various prestigious medical entrance exams. Should I join a NEET preparatory coaching class?









 



Start preparing for the medical entrance examination right after standard X. you need to equip yourself with the textbooks of classes XI and XII, a few extra theory books (for that extra edge)and MCQ (multiple choice questions) books. Students worry about studying simultaneously for medicine and the Board exams will harm their Board results. These fears are unfounded. After all, mastering the CBSE course means that you have cracked 70 to 80 per cent of the NEET. It is only the remaining 20 to 30 per cent that requires extra work through the help of additional books. So how do you go about preparing for a medical entrance exam? Well, choose a topic. Read about it in the CBSE textbook. Then study the topic with the help of additional theory books to enlarge your knowledge base.



At the end of the exercise, solve the multiple choice questions. Even if you have perfected the standard XI fundamentals, revise them during the summer holidays preceding class XII and during all holidays. This will reduce the pressure in the crucial last one month between the class XII exams and the NEET. Don’t start off with the additional theory books. Self-study is advocated to avoid wastage of time and energy. In case you feel the need for extra coaching either through regular class or correspondence, choose the institute with care and caution. Enquire about the institute’s faculty and performance and speak to former and current students of that institute.



Adopt a systematic and rigorous study regime. What is needed is a virtual combing operation. Leave nothing to doubt or luck. Leave no topic untouched and no MCQ unsolved.



 



Picture Credit: Google