Coughing, Fever and Chills are some of many symptoms that may appear when an individual develops Tuberculosis. The invader by the name of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis continues to cause one of the world's deadliest diseases. According to the WHO or World Health Organization, the year 2013 accumulated an estimated 9 million ill and resulted in 1.5 million deaths. Co-infections with HIV enhance the invader's pathogenic effects on the body; killing 1 in 4 co-infected individuals. What's the current situation?
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Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (EDR) forms of TB continue to be of growing concern as well. This is an issue featuring multiple components, the lack of adherence to the drugs prescribed being the major factor! Considering the fact that the regimens require daily medications for at least six months and potentially up to 2 years, its no wonder adherence is an issue. Some of us may argue that individuals suffering from diabetes and other chronic diseases like hypertension (high blood pressure) are prescribed drugs much longer. This issue continues to hold strong cultural and social dimensions to drug adherence. So raising awareness of the issue is potentially instrumental in combating multidrug resistance!
A - You contract the organism
B - At some point during the disease course, you get ill with TB
C - Feeling better? Forget the medication! I feel awesome!
D - The remaining organisms in your system come back stronger than ever, resistant to the previous drug!
The story of Tuberculosis maybe an ancient one, but the efforts to eliminate it is a passionate endeavor. The world raised their voices against the disease on March 24th 2015 resounding the efforts of World TB Day! Their mission to "Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone". It was a day for mobilizing key partners in the effort to eliminate Tuberculosis. The STOP TB PARTNERSHIP is one such campaign.
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