Tuberculosis Rates Down, Yet Spike in Cases Loom Ahead

Tuberculosis Rates Down, Yet Spike in Cases Loom Ahead

Tuberculosis has long been a scourge for humanity since ancient times. Today, a third of the world's population is believed to be infected with the causative organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tubercolosis (TB) is a particularly deadly disease, killing millions of people every year. Those in developing countries are especially vulnerable because of poor sanitary conditions and inadequate health care.

But even those in developed countries like the United States, the disease is not unheard of and latent TB can be present in a significant portion of the population.

Tuberculosis symptoms start off with a persistent cough with streaks of bloody phlegm, weakness, fever, night sweats and weight loss. Those with a weak immune system are at increased risk for developing active TB which may spread to other organs of the body. Death can occur in these individuals as well as among those who have multiple-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

According to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis death rates have gone down by 40 percent since 1990, thanks to intensified efforts by governments. This objective is part of the Global Plan to Stop Tuberculosis  which intends to save 14 million lives until 2015.

While the numbers are encouraging, important factors that may halt progress are present. The BCG vaccine, while saving many lives of children against the disease, is unreliable against TB among adults. A newer vaccine is needed to combat the majority of infections and to prevent drug-resistant forms.

Another contributor to tuberculosis is the rising number of people who smoke. A recent study links smoking to 18 million new cases of TB by 2050. Smoking weakens the lungs to fight infections such as tuberculosis.

Also, other diseases like HIV are rising worldwide. People with HIV have an increased risk of developing TB and other opportunistic infections.

Increased worldwide travel has also become a crucial element in the spread of TB. As travelers go to areas where TB is endemic, they could carry the infection back home where people are less likely to be vaccinated against the bacteria.

Lastly, lack of funding may erase gains from efforts to stop the disease. As the world's economy lurches down, countries tend to skimp on health initiatives like programs to fight tuberculosis.

Posted by enriquez on Wednesday October 12 2011, 4:57 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health, Original. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0