Not
adhering to prescribed medications can lead to MDR TB in existing TB patients
New Delhi, 13 August 2017: As per available statistics, India accounts for one-fourth of
the global TB burden of both TB and MDR TB. About 1.3 lakh incident
multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB cases occur in India every year, including 79,000
MDR-TB cases among the notified pulmonary cases. As per the IMA, to prevent
the epidemic of MDR TB, it should be declared a public health emergency.
Multidrug resistant (MDR) TB is TB resistant to both
isoniazid and rifampicin with or without resistance to other first-line anti-TB
drugs. Extensive drug resistant (XDR) TB is TB resistant also to a
fluoroquinolone (ofloxacin, levofloxacin or moxifloxacin) and a second-line
injectable anti TB drug (kanamycin, amikacin or capreomycin).
Speaking about this, Padma
Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association
(IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary
Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern
in the country. Despite advances in TB care, the disease continues to be a
major cause of morbidity and mortality. And, it takes a heavy toll on the
economy too. Emergence and spread of drug-resistant TB has become a major
public health concern now. A person can acquire MDR TB in two ways. First is
when a person does not take drugs as instructed by the health care provider or
does not take the correct drugs. This situation is likely when the bacteria are
resistant to more drugs than the health care provider has prescribed. One can
also get MDRTB if they become infected with TB bacteria from another person who
already has MDRTB. This is known as primary TB.”
The symptoms of MDR TB are similar toregular TB: severe cough
lasting for three weeks or more, bloody or discolored sputum, night sweats,
fever, fatigue and weakness, pain in the chest, loss of appetite, pain in
breathing or coughing, and weight loss.
Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “A person can
develop XDR-TB if the treatment for MDR TB fails. The treatment for this
acquired disease is lengthier, more complex, and expensive. At time, XDR TB can
even be impossible to treat and be a death sentence. It is difficult to
estimate the incidence of XDR-TB is as many laboratories are ill-equipped to
detect and diagnose it. As a result, many of the cases go undocumented.”
Here
are some tips prevent TB.
· Vaccination Newborns
must be given the BCG vaccine to protect them against TB.
· Keep
your immunity high Vaccines may not be able
to provide life-long protection. Thus, it is important to maintain a healthy
lifestyle and consume a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Quit
smoking and drinking alcohol, exercise regularly, and stay fit.
· Maintain
good hygiene Certain simple hygienic practices
such as covering the mouth while coughing, not spitting in public places, etc.
are good ways to avoid infections from spreading. Wash your hands before eating
and drink clean water. If you are around someone you know is suffering from TB,
avoid direct contact with them.
· Take
medications on time This is one of the major
reasons for acquiring MDR TB. People who have the infection are carriers of the
disease. If they don’t adhere to the prescription, the TB bacteria can develop
resistance to the drugs.
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