TB: The Global Health Emergency [WHO]
• TB is the largest cause of death globally from a single infectious agent; it is also the main killer of persons living with HIV; it claimed 1.25 million lives in 2023 including 160,000 people with HIV.
With preventable and treatable choices, TB affliches 6.0 million men, 3.6 million women, and 1.3 million children.
Only over two in five people seeking treatment in 2023 indicate multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), a public health issue.
Globally, efforts against tuberculosis starting in 2000 have saved 79 million lives.
US$ 22 billion is needed yearly for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care if we are to meet the worldwide target by 2027.
• The health priority of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is 2030 TB pandemic eradication.
With one-fourth of the world’s population infected, tuberculosis is treatable and avoidable.
• Among the TB symptoms are coughing constantly, chest pain, weakness, weariness, weight loss, fever, and nighttime sweats.
Early TB treatment, higher risk individual testing, and TB preventative therapy (TPT) constitute part of the preventive actions.
• Diagnosing HIV-associated TB and other resistant forms of TB can be difficult and expensive; rapid molecular diagnostic tests include Truenat assays and Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra are indicated to start the diagnosis.
AIDS and TB Management: Tuberculosis [WHO]
Tuberculosis Treatment
TB can treated using special antibiotics like ethambutol, pyrazinamide, isoniazid, and rifampicin.
Successful therapy is depending on regular usage of these drugs.
• Drug-resistant tuberculosis demands several treatments since it does not react to traditional drugs.
A public health issue and a threat to health security, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) compromises
• WHO advises drug resistance testing for MDR-TB identification as well as bacteriological confirmation of TB.
For suitable individuals, a short 6-month all-oral regimen known as BPaLM/BPaL is advised.
AIDS and tuberculosis
• Living with HIV raises one’s risk of TB illness.
• HIV and TB mingle deathfully; each speeds the other.
The WHO recommends a 12-component plan to reduce death.
• Though all age groups are vulnerable, TB affects adults in their most productive years.
• Every area in the world is affected by tuberculosis; the WHO South-East Asia Region has the highest new cases projected for 2023.
• Of people treated with tuberculosis globally, over half have catastrophic medical bills, non-medical expenses, and indirect costs.
• US$ 22 billion annually are needed for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care if worldwide targets by 2027 are to be reached.
• While international donor monies are still crucial in low- and middle-income countries, most of the spending on TB services in 2023 came from domestic sources.