An old disease known as tuberculosis (TB) has afflicted people for thousands of years. Due to its terrible effects on the human body, TB has historically been referred to as “consumption” and has been a persistent companion of human civilization. TB still poses a threat to world health, and in many ways, it has evolved into a contemporary issue despite substantial advances in medicine and public health. This article examines the factors that contribute to the fact that TB, once thought to be a disease of the past, now affects millions of people globally.
https://blogs.biomedcentral.com/on-medicine/2016/03/24/tuberculosis-ancient-disease-modern-day-problem/
1.Resistant to Drugs Strains
The rise of drug-resistant strains of TB is one of the main reasons it has become a problem in modern society. A mixture of antibiotics taken over several months is the traditional TB treatment. The TB bacteria have grown resistant to these medications, though, as a result of things like insufficient treatment plans, incorrect antibiotic administration, and lax patient compliance. Forms of the disease that are difficult to treat and have a higher mortality rate include multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB).
2. The Global Economy and Travel
More than ever, the world is connected thanks to modern transportation. This means that infectious diseases like TB can readily transcend borders, despite the fact that it offers great advantages for trade and communication. International travel and migration help the disease spread to many regions of the world. A person with active TB can spread the illness to others through the air. This makes TB prevention and control harder in the present period.
https://www.fawco.org/global-issues/target-program/health/blog-health-matters/4280-tuberculosis-an-ancient-disease
3. AIDS/HIV Pandemic
The TB epidemic has been significantly impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. HIV compromises the immune system, increasing the risk of contracting TB. One of the main causes of death for those with HIV/AIDS is TB. HIV and TB co-existence has a fatal synergy, especially in areas where both diseases are highly prevalent. HIV/AIDS must be taken into account when fighting TB.
4. Social Factors of Determinants Health
Socioeconomic factors are closely associated with TB. The continuation of TB in underprivileged populations is a result of many factors, including poverty, malnutrition, congested living circumstances, and restricted access to healthcare. People who live in these circumstances are more susceptible to contracting TB and less likely to receive timely diagnosis and treatment, which feeds the disease cycle.
5. Weak Healthcare Systems
Healthcare systems in many nations, particularly those with limited resources, face funding and staffing issues. By restricting access to diagnostic equipment, qualified healthcare professionals, and suitable infrastructure for TB prevention and treatment, this has an impact on TB control efforts.
Conclusion
Even though it is a chronic illness, tuberculosis has evolved and adapted to life in the modern period. Its prevalence in the twenty-first century is mostly due to drug-resistant strains, international travel, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, socioeconomic inequality, shoddy healthcare systems, and stigma. In this day and age, TB needs to be addressed comprehensively. This entails creating novel medications, enhancing the healthcare system, tackling social determinants of health, and overcoming stigma. Even though TB is an old disease, it still requires our attention and coordinated global efforts to control and finally eradicate this.
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