1ST CITY CLINICAL HOSPITAL

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease transmitted primarily by airborne droplets. The causative agent of tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These microorganisms are also called tubercle bacilli. The source of infection is most often people with tuberculosis or their household items.

Microorganisms enter the respiratory tract of people with droplets of sputum when talking, sneezing, coughing, laughing or with dust. With the development of an inflammatory process in the lungs, pulmonary tuberculosis develops. Mycobacterium tuberculosis can affect not only the lungs, but also other organs, in which case extrapulmonary tuberculosis of the bones, joints, eyes, skin, lymph nodes, genitals and other organs and systems develops.

For the occurrence of the tuberculosis process, not only the number of microbes and contact with a sick person, but also the protective forces of the human body are of great importance. Factors that reduce the body's resistance are: smoking, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, hypothermia, the presence of chronic diseases (chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic pyelonephritis, etc.), diabetes, peptic ulcers, AIDS, poor nutrition.

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis can occur at any age. When infected, tuberculosis bacilli are contained in the human body in small quantities and in a dormant state. These dormant mycobacteria are controlled by the body's defenses and do not cause disease. In case of decreased immunity, a disease develops - pulmonary tuberculosis.

When suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, people may experience the following symptoms: general malaise, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, chills, severe sweating, especially at night, cough for more than 3 weeks that does not go away after treatment with cough tablets and antibacterial therapy, purulent sputum, which may contain blood, chest pain, etc.

Close people of a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis are at risk of infection. Infection usually occurs in closed areas, so they should be regularly ventilated.

In recent years, there has been an increase in drug-resistant tuberculosis in all countries. There are at least 10 million bacilli-shedding people in the world who spread the infection. Every second, 1 person becomes infected, every 3 minutes, 1 person on the planet dies from tuberculosis.

In Minsk in 2013, the incidence of tuberculosis was 21.7 people per 100 thousand population. Men make up about 80%. People of working age are more likely to get sick. These are mostly low-income people or even low-income people - unemployed, homeless, abusing alcohol and smoking, i.e. the so-called social risk group. Particular attention should be paid to persons who have had contact with a patient with tuberculosis and who have not been examined fluorographically for more than 2 years. In Minsk, 412 patients with all forms of tuberculosis were identified, of which 343 had pulmonary tuberculosis, among whom bacilli-excretion was detected in 238; drug-resistant tuberculosis makes up about 40% of bacilli-excreting patients.

There is a medical risk group - these are patients with weakened immunity, with chronic diseases (such as chronic diseases of the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, receiving special treatment for cancer, HIV-infected); women in the postpartum period. Tuberculosis is also detected in quite prosperous citizens: medical workers, teachers, workers and employees get sick.

The basis of tuberculosis prevention is to increase the body's defenses and prevent the spread of tuberculosis infection among the population. It is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle: stop smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, play sports, exercise, etc. It is also necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene, carry out wet cleaning and ventilation of the room. A person with tuberculosis must be trained in special sanitary and hygienic skills. Successful treatment of tuberculosis can be achieved with a full course of treatment with special anti-tuberculosis drugs (treatment from 6 to 36 months depending on the form of tuberculosis). When anti-tuberculosis drugs are taken irregularly and incorrectly, drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are formed, the so-called drug-resistant tuberculosis. When infected with such a tubercle bacillus, great difficulties arise in treatment. Early identification of people with tuberculosis prevents the further spread of infection. Tuberculosis can be asymptomatic for a long period or resemble a common cold. The only way to detect the disease in the early stages is an annual fluorographic examination and microbiological examination of patients with respiratory diseases.

Tuberculosis is easier to prevent than to cure!!!