Tuberculosis Prevention Month is held annually from February 24 to March 24, marking March 24 – World TB Day. The month dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis is held under the motto: "Yes! We can defeat tuberculosis! Kazakhstan's leadership. Innovation and the power of people." The main goal of the month is to inform the public about personal and public tuberculosis prevention measures, the early signs of tuberculosis, the dangers and severe consequences of tuberculosis infection, and to foster shared responsibility for health; as well as awareness of the need for mandatory preventive screening. Tuberculosis is a dangerous infection, capable of claiming far more lives than any other infectious disease. According to the WHO, one-third of the world's population is currently infected with tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (ancient name "consumption") is a chronic infectious disease, with inflammation predominantly localized in the lungs. Along with pulmonary forms of the disease, extrapulmonary forms are also possible, as the pathogen can affect all human organs. The tuberculosis pathogen (mycobacteria) is highly resistant to low and high temperatures and high humidity. Under natural conditions, in the absence of sunlight, mycobacteria can remain viable for several months: in street dust for 10 days, on book pages for three months, in water for up to 150 days, in soil for up to six months, in raw milk for up to two weeks, and in butter and cheese for up to one year. The primary source of tuberculosis infection remains an infected person. When a person coughs, tuberculosis bacteria are deposited in droplets of sputum on objects and into the soil. By inhaling contaminated air containing dust particles, tuberculosis pathogens enter the lungs of a healthy person. Infection is also possible through contact with household items used by an infected person. A single infected person can infect 10 to 15 healthy people in contact with them over the course of a year. Infection can also occur by consuming raw milk and dairy products from cows infected with tuberculosis, or by purchasing these products unauthorized from unauthorized sellers. The main symptoms of tuberculosis are: rapid fatigue and general weakness, decreased or no appetite, weight loss, increased sweating, shortness of breath with little physical exertion, an increase in body temperature to 37.2-37.8⁰C, a prolonged, intractable cough or coughing with sputum (possibly with blood). The categories of people most susceptible to tuberculosis include children, the elderly, diabetics, cancer patients, people taking steroids, medications that weaken the immune system, HIV-infected individuals, people living in unfavorable conditions (crowded apartments, poor hygiene in the home), people with alcohol and drug addiction, people with poor nutrition, and tobacco users. Smoking, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet, stress, and poor personal hygiene all increase the risk of tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis can be protected through a range of preventive measures and early detection:
The primary method of prevention is childhood vaccination with BCG vaccines, according to the vaccination schedule;The Mantoux test for children at risk allows for the detection of early and localized forms of tuberculosis in children and adolescents, as well as the risk of primary infection; The primary early detection method for tuberculosis in adults is chest x-ray;
Adherence to basic healthy lifestyle principles (avoiding alcohol, drugs, and tobacco);
A balanced diet, physical activity, and exercise strengthen the body's defenses, boosting immunity, and increasing resistance to the tuberculosis pathogen.
Be healthy! Take care of yourself and your loved ones!
Head of the USEC of the Beimbeta district Mailina Yarushko N.A.