Tuberculosis: Things you should know about this deadly disease

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadliest diseases in India. Tuberculosis which occurs due to an airborne bacteria is still unknown to many. Some people think that TB can only happen to people with lower socio-economic background, while others tend to believe that TB has no cure. Yes, if not treated on time, TB can be life-threatening but that doesn't mean that there's no cure for it. 

Despite affecting a large number of Indians, TB remains highly discredited. There exist several myths about TB in India. Here is a list of myths that many believe about this disease. Read below to understand more about this disease, since a lack of public awareness is also one of the major causes of TB. Because of these myths, not many are vocal about TB and people in the rural area end up losing their lives to TB. 

TB is incurable:

With the right medication, precaution and ample amount of rest TB can be cured. TB medication is available since the 1950s. If treatment is correct and completed, patients recover to lead normal lives.

TB patients are infectious:

Firstly, not all forms of TB are infectious. TB can occur in many parts of the body other than the lungs, including bones, spine, brain, bladder and the reproductive system. Patients who suffer from TB of the lungs are infectious. But after undergoing treatment for two months, they too become non-infectious. 

TB happens to poor:

TB like other diseases can happen to anyone. Poverty indeed is one of the important risk factors for TB, but it can occur to anyone. Transmission of TB bacteria is through the air; hence, no one is immune to the disease. 

It can only be detected with blood tests:

On the contrary, blood tests are not a reliable way for diagnosing TB. It's because blood tests are inaccurate when it comes to diagnosing TB. Next time you visit a doctor with a TB diagnosis, make sure that you're not constrained to blood tests.

TB spreads by having sex:

This is the most bizarre myth I have come across. Sex has nothing to do with TB. TB is an airborne disease, and you can't get it from kissing or intercourse. A TB patient who receives a regular treatment does not spread the disease, especially through sex!

TB is hereditary:

TB has nothing to do with the genetics, or with the family. TB is caused by airborne bacteria which attacks the lungs and can affect anyone. So even if your mom or dad have had TB in the past, the chances of you having a TB because of them is 0. 

Next time, when you come across someone unaware about what TB is, please educate them, since awareness on TB is need of the hour.