Already in ancient times doctors had no doubt contagious tuberculosis, although the exact idea of how it is transmitted and how to avoid infection, appeared relatively recently. At present, prevention of tuberculosis is one of the biggest challenges facing organizations involved in public health and the governments of countries where TB is particularly common. However, in countries where the disease is rare, its prevention is also an important issue.
How is TB?
TB is spread by droplets; bacteria that are its agents are contained in tiny particles of saliva of an infected person. They are released into the air or on various subjects, when a person sneezes, coughs, or even just talking about. To infection occurred in particles of saliva should be kept viable pathogen of tuberculosis. The less time that elapses between when the pathogen enters into the external medium and the moment when it enters the respiratory tract of a healthy person, the greater the likelihood of infection. For a long time it was thought that there are other ways of transmission of TB - for example, that it can be transmitted through utensils, towels, and other items used by the sick. Currently not confirmed that TB is spread through any household items.
Non-specific prevention of tuberculosis
Sanitary prevention of tuberculosis is needed to prevent infection of healthy people
. Measures are being taken to prevent, depend on the person with whom the patient lives, and from the form of the disease
. Typically, after a person is detected tuberculosis, doctors are invited to a survey of all who are close contact with him recently - above all, people who live with him in one housing
. In some cases, patients should be hospitalized - this not only increases the likelihood of treatment effectiveness, but also allows you to protect healthy people from infection
. People who live in the same house with TB, your doctor may give specific advice on disinfecting surfaces on which food is prepared and take, bedding, etc.
. In addition, you should regularly ventilate the premises
. All these measures allow to significantly reduce the number of particles in the air saliva
. Finally, the patients themselves must take care of preventing the infection of others
. It is sufficient for the simple measures: cover your mouth by hand (better - cloth), when you sneeze or cough, do not get too close to the people during a call, be sure to throw in the trash used paper towels
.
It also includes non-specific prevention of the social prevention of tuberculosis. It includes a set of measures that take international and governmental organizations, to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. To defeat the illness, you need to disseminate information about TB, access to health services for all segments of the population (including - for the prisoners, among them a lot of patients with tuberculosis), and raising the standard of living in general. The fight against alcohol and drug abuse can also be attributed to the social prevention, as people with different addictions more susceptible to tuberculosis. Without effective social prevention to defeat the disease is almost impossible.
Prevention of tuberculosis while traveling
Before you go on a trip, especially if it's a long trip, you need to learn how disseminated tuberculosis in the countries you plan to visit. This is especially important for those who have the diseases associated with low immunity, such as HIV / AIDS or diabetes
Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease
.
During trips to third world countries try to avoid prolonged stay in areas where tuberculosis is increased likelihood of infection, such as hospitals, prisons, shelters for the homeless. If you have to work in such places, pre-talk to your doctor about how to minimize the risk of contracting tuberculosis. On his return should make the tuberculin skin test; often even to patients who are trying to give a negative result, it is recommended to make retested a few months later after traveling to countries where the incidence of tuberculosis is particularly high.
Specific prevention of tuberculosis
Specific preventive maintenance is required to protect against active tuberculosis people who have increased the likelihood of developing the disease.
Specific prevention is immunoprophylaxis or chemoprophylaxis of tuberculosis - the introduction of a vaccine containing the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis BCG; the vaccine is often referred to simply as BCG.
Immunization of tuberculosis can be recommended in the following patient groups:
- Children who were born in regions with a high incidence of tuberculosis;
- Children who have recently returned from countries where TB is very common;
- Children whose close relatives suffer from open tuberculosis.
Vaccination is rarely prescribed to persons over 16 years, and never - those who are older than 35 years, as for adults, it is not effective enough. However, patients aged between 16 and 35 years, it can reduce the risk of tuberculosis and is sometimes used, for example, vaccination of people working in the health sector. Newborns who are at increased risk of tuberculosis infection, the vaccine is administered shortly after birth.
The vaccine contains attenuated bacteria, similar to those that cause tuberculosis
Tuberculosis - a full recovery is not guaranteed
in humans. Since they are weakened, the vaccine does not cause disease, but it has on the immune system stimulating effect, whereby patients are immune. The vaccine does not guarantee that a person will never become ill with tuberculosis, but in 70-80% of cases, it effectively protects against the most severe forms of tuberculosis.
Preventive treatment of tuberculosis
Treatment of tuberculosis - a lengthy process and requires constant monitoring
it may be necessary for patients under the age of 30 years who are infected with TB bacteria, newborns whose mothers suffer from active tuberculosis, children (and in some cases adults), which are closely in contact with open tuberculosis patients
The open form of tuberculosis - to be treated in hospital
As well as people who previously suffered a tuberculosis, and who have a significantly increased risk of reactivation of the disease.
In most cases, these drugs are used for the prevention of tuberculosis, isoniazid or ftivazid. The course of preventive treatment usually lasts three months; in some cases may require repeated therapy.
