Every year on March 24, World Tuberculosis Day is observed to raise awareness about the need to end tuberculosis, the world's deadliest infectious disease.
Tuberculosis continues to devastate the lives of millions worldwide, causing severe health, social, and economic consequences. This year's theme is: "Yes! We can end TB. Commit, Invest, Act!".
Tuberculosis Day was established by the WHO in 1982, 100 years after Robert Koch discovered the causative agent of tuberculosis.
Despite the availability of many modern methods for detecting and treating this ailment, it remains one of the most dangerous diseases, requiring serious and prolonged treatment, as well as early diagnosis.
Over the years, the tuberculosis pathogen has developed resistance to most medications, complicating treatment. In such cases, it is necessary to take multiple medications simultaneously for an extended period. Surgical intervention is sometimes required.
Tuberculosis is most commonly transmitted through airborne droplets, but infection can also occur through contact and household routes, or via food (e.g., milk from an infected animal).
Risk groups include young children, the elderly, individuals with immunodeficiencies, HIV-positive patients, and those leading an antisocial lifestyle or suffering from chronic alcoholism. In the Lepel district, among those diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2024, 83% suffer from chronic alcoholism and are unemployed.
Tuberculosis may not show any symptoms in its early stages, but can then progress rapidly and, in the absence of timely and quality treatment, lead to a fatal outcome.
The most fundamental tuberculosis prevention measures are as follows. Newborns are vaccinated on days 3-5 of life. Subsequently, for early detection purposes, children and adolescents undergo immunodiagnostics using the preparations "Tuberculin" and "Diaskintest" as indicated. Annual X-ray fluorography examinations for adults will help to timely detect this dangerous disease.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, physical activity, spending time outdoors, and proper nutrition are equally important components in tuberculosis prevention.
Epidemiologist Natalia Pobortseva
Phthisiatrician Ekaterina Guzenok