World Tuberculosis Day 2017: Risk factors and prevention of the disease

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New Delhi: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious, airborne disease that mainly affects your lungs. Caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium, TB is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide.

And the disease spreads from one person to another through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.

Every year on March 24, World Tuberculosis Day is observed all over the globe. It is a worldwide event, designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease.

Here are some factors that increases the risk of developing the disease:

• Infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS and weakens the immune system
• Diabetes mellitus
• Low body weight
• Head or neck cancer, leukemia
• Silicosis, a respiratory condition caused by inhaling silica dust.
• People who live with or care for someone with active TB
• Health care workers who treat people with a high risk of TB

But the disease can be prevented through adequate ventilation and limited contact with patients.

Here are some tips to prevent getting TB:

• Avoid direct contact with people with active TB, especially if you already have tested positive for latent TB
• Know if you are at risk
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid or cut down on alcohol
• Quit smoking
• Adequate sleep
• Practice good personal hygiene – avoid coughing, sneezing directly at others.
• Early diagnosis and treatment to prevent deterioration of the disease and spread of the infection.