Myths and Facts about Tuberculosis

In Sanskrit, tuberculosis (TB) is known as Rajyachhyama, or ‘the king of diseases’. Ranked as one of the world’s most serious infectious threats, it has globally infected an estimated 1.7 billion people. Not withsatanding its royal stature, there are many myths shrouding this dreaded disease – here is chance to bust them…

Dr Vasundhara Atre

Posted On Thursday, May 31, 2007   


Myth: Only the lower socio-economic groups suffer from tuberculosis.
Fact: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a disease that spreads through air. Any individual can get infected regardless of the socio-economic status.
 
Myth: Tuberculosis is hereditary.
Fact: Tuberculosis is not hereditary. It is an air-borne infectious disease. The tuberculosis bacteria are carried as droplets in the air. It can enter the body through the airways. The spread occurs when those having active untreated infection in the lungs cough, sneeze or speak and send the germs into the air. Those around them, who breathe in these germs into their lungs, can become infected.
 
Myth: Smoking causes tuberculosis.
Fact: The cause of the infection is the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Smoking can however aggravate tuberculosis.
 
Myth: Tuberculosis increases the chances of developing lung cancer.
Fact: Many causes of lung cancer are known. Smoking being the number one cause. Other causes include radon, pollution, asbestos and other chemicals and minerals, the lung diseases that cause scarring of the lung tissue like tuberculosis can increase the risk of developing tuberculosis.
 
Myth: BCG vaccination protects against developing TB.
Fact: While the vaccine prevents the severe forms of TB in childhood it does not protect adults from developing the adult forms of pulmonary TB. 
 
Myth: Tuberculosis affects only the lungs.
Fact: Tuberculosis primarily affects the lung (80 per cent) however other parts of the body that can be affected include the genitor urinary tract, heart (pericardium), brain, bones, lymph nodes, gastro intestinal tract, joints, skin almost all parts except the nails and hair.
 
Myth: An individual who has been infected with the mycobacterium tuberculosis will develop tuberculosis.
Fact: A tuberculosis infection does not always develop into tuberculosis disease.
It is estimated that only about 10 per cent of infected people develop tuberculosis sometime in their lives, another five per cent immediately after infection and another five per cent up to 50 years later.
 
Myth: A positive tuberculosis test means that an individual has tuberculosis.
Fact: A positive Mantoux/PPD tuberculosis skin test is only an indication that there is an infection with a strain of the Mycobacterium. It is not a confirmation that the disease is present. The positive TB skin test is only a confirmation of exposure, to tuberculosis.
 
Myth: Only a Mantoux/PPD TB skin test is needed to make a tuberculosis diagnosis.
Fact: A diagnosis of tuberculosis diagnosis is never solely based on a Mantoux/PPD TB skin test. If an individual tests positive, the doctor will order a chest x-ray and/or a sputum culture.
 
Myth: Individuals suffering from tuberculosis should be hospitalised.
Fact: Most patients suffering from tuberculosis can be treated at home and they can continue to work.
 


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