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Every year, on the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), on March 24, World Tuberculosis Day is held.

The purpose of the information campaign is to attract the attention of society to the problems of anti -TB work, informing the population about the incidence and measures of its prevention. The date of the conduct was not chosen by chance, it was on this day that more than 130 years ago, Robert Koch, the causative agent of this disease, was opened – mycobacteria of tuberculosis. This discovery made it possible to significantly advance in the field of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this disease.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by mycobacteria of tuberculosis (MBT) and characterized by various (mainly pulmonary) localization, a variety of clinical manifestations, intoxication, allergies of the body.

Where and how can I become infected with tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is transmitted by airborne droplets from the patient releasing MBT. Anyone can breathe in the infected air that contains MBT. The main source of infection is the sputum of the patient with an infectious form of tuberculosis, the smallest droplets of which, infected MBT, with coughing, sneezing, conversation, laughter, yawning, spit, fall into the air. Further, along with a stream of air, they fall into the lungs of healthy people. You can infect tuberculosis in a crowded, poorly ventilated room if it contains a patient with the release of mycobacteria into the environment.

The probability of getting active tuberculosis in a healthy person is 5-10%. In the occurrence of a disease in human tuberculosis, 2 factors play:

The number of MBT that have fallen into the body (depending on the proximity of contact with patient with tuberculosis and the massiveness of the bacterial excretion it has).

The state of the body's defenses.

What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?

The general condition of the patient is increased fatigue, weakness, especially expressed in the morning, decreased performance, loss of appetite;

The general view of the patient is weight loss, etc.;

Temperature – fever in the evening or at night, sweating at night, chills;

A cough – a manifestation of cough for more than 3 weeks should alert and cause a doctor’s contact.

Hemopral.

In children, the early stage of the disease is manifested mainly by general poisoning by the poisons of tuberculosis microbes, which affects the long -term – for weeks, even months – fever (up to 37.4–37.6 ° C), poor appetite, frequent "colds" diseases. The child is moody, lethargic. The lesions of individual organs are not found. Less commonly, tuberculosis can begin acutely, with a high temperature (up to 38-39 ° C) and a common malaise. After some time, the temperature is reduced, weakness, fatigue remains.

Tuberculosis in the initial stages may be asymptomatic and some of these signs of tuberculosis can be observed in other diseases, therefore, if the above symptoms occur, it is necessary to consult a local therapist for a more thorough diagnosis.

How is tuberculosis diagnosed?

The disease of tuberculosis is detected by two main methods:

• X -ray (allows you to identify initial tuberculosis changes in the lungs, and then trace the course of the disease during treatment).
• Bacteriological (microscopy smear of sputum, sowing material on a nutrient medium)

Where and how can you undergo an examination?

An X -ray -oreurographic examination of the chest can be done in the clinic at the place of residence. In case of suspicion of tuberculosis, the district doctor or specialist, after a clinical investigation, will send a consultation to a TB dispensary for a consultation with a phthisator.

A belated diagnosis of tuberculosis is dangerous for both the patient himself and for others. Due to the often hidden on the onset of tuberculosis or its course under the “mask” of other diseases, in particular SARS, only a small part of the sick addresses the doctor in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, tuberculosis has to be identified actively. This goal is a mass survey of the population. Fluorography is one of the methods of radiological examination. Persons over 17 years old are subject to this examination method. Unfortunately, some citizens evade such an examination, not understanding its significance in the early detection of tuberculosis

Why is it important not to wait, but when the first symptoms appear to see a doctor?

The sooner tuberculosis is detected, the less lesion of the lung tissue and the faster it can be cured.

The lungs are vital organs of a person. In case of progression of tuberculosis and extensive lesion of the lungs, the process becomes irreversible, the lungs cannot fulfill their task, and the person is doomed to death. In addition, secreting mycobacteria in the external environment, a person who does not receive treatment, endanates the danger of other people, including the closest, his family, children, loved ones.

Prevention of tuberculosis

There are specific and nonspecific methods for the prevention of tuberculosis.

Nonspecific methods include:

• measures that increase the defenses of the body (rational regime of work and rest, proper full nutrition, rejection of smoking and drinking alcohol, hardening, physical education, etc.);
• measures, a healing housing and production environment (decrease in the crowding and dustiness of premises, improvement of ventilation).

A specific method for the prevention of tuberculosis is to vaccinate against tuberculosis (vaccination at the birth of a child on 3-5 days of life). To control the state of anti -TB immunity and identify the moment of primary infection, children are reaction of a mantle or diaskintest.

Can we protect ourselves from tuberculosis?

In order to protect yourself and your loved ones from tuberculosis infection, it is necessary to remember the observance of a number of rules. First, to vaccinate in time. This should not be forgotten when raising your own children. Secondly, to undergo fluorography in a timely manner. Thirdly, monitor the regularity and balance of the diet, give the body daily physical activity, if possible to abandon bad habits, avoid stressful situations.

It is necessary to instill a healthy lifestyle from a very young age, when the attitude to life is still being formed, and the stereotypes and principles have not completely absorbed the child's consciousness