The "nightmare" of many historical celebrities, this ancient infectious disease is still an "assassin" threatening human health

Pulmonary tuberculosis, commonly known as "pulmonary tuberculosis", is an ancient chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis invading lung tissue. It is the main type of tuberculosis, accounting for about 85% of tuberculosis. Patients will experience symptoms such as coughing, sputum, chest pain, fever, etc. In severe cases, it can lead to lung damage and death. It is mainly transmitted through the air. When patients cough, sneeze or talk, they can spread droplets containing tuberculosis bacteria to people around them.

Many celebrities from all walks of life died because of it

In the 19th century, it was even known as the "White Plague". Looking back at history, many well-known cultural and scientific figures died of tuberculosis. Robert Koch, a German microbiologist, was the discoverer of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Unfortunately, he died of tuberculosis in 1910; Lu Xun, a great modern proletarian writer, thinker and revolutionary in China, died of tuberculosis in 1936; Xiao Hong, a modern Chinese female writer, one of the "Four Talented Women of the Republic of China", was known as the "Literary Goddess of the Luo River in the 1930s", and died of tuberculosis and malignant tracheal dilatation in 1942; Lin Huiyin, China's first female architect, died of tuberculosis in 1955.

It is still the number one killer of deaths from a single infectious source.

Although medical advances have made the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis more effective, it remains a major threat to human health, and knowledge of tuberculosis prevention and control is crucial to controlling the disease.

It still poses a threat to global health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) "2022 Global Tuberculosis Report", there were 10.6 million new tuberculosis patients in the world in 2021, with an incidence rate of 134/100,000. The global cause of death data released by WHO in 2019 showed that tuberculosis is the number one cause of death from a single infectious source and the 13th leading cause of death in the world. In low-income and middle-income countries, the burden of tuberculosis is particularly heavy. The estimated number of new tuberculosis patients in my country in 2021 is 780,000, and the estimated incidence rate of tuberculosis is 55/100,000. Among the 30 countries with a high burden of tuberculosis, my country ranks third in the estimated number of tuberculosis cases, lower than Indonesia and India.

This vaccine can effectively protect

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG vaccine) is currently the main vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis. BCG is a live attenuated vaccine that does not directly kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but achieves its preventive effect by inducing an immune response in the body. It should be noted that BCG is mainly used in infants and young children. It can prevent tuberculous meningitis, miliary tuberculosis and other diseases with poor prognosis in infants and young children, reduce mortality after illness, but cannot completely prevent the occurrence of tuberculosis. In addition, the protective effect of BCG varies in different regions and populations, and its protective effect on tuberculosis in adults is limited.

The following are the people who are most likely to be infected:

Tuberculosis can affect people of all ages, but the following groups are more likely to be severely affected:

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infected people,

Malnourished people,

Smokers,

Patients with chronic diseases (such as diabetes),

People who use immunosuppressants,

People living in crowded conditions.

The most effective preventive measure

1. BCG vaccination: especially for newborns in areas with a high incidence of tuberculosis.

2. Good living habits: maintain a healthy diet and avoid smoking and drinking.

3. Improve living environment: ensure good ventilation and avoid overcrowding.

4. Early diagnosis and treatment: People with symptoms of tuberculosis should seek medical attention and treatment promptly.

5. Contact screening: Screening and necessary preventive treatment for close contacts of known tuberculosis patients.

Tuberculosis is a global public health problem that requires the joint efforts of the whole society to control and eliminate. By popularizing tuberculosis knowledge, strengthening preventive measures, timely diagnosis and effective treatment, we can reduce the spread and impact of tuberculosis and protect the health of more people.

Author: Wang Guihua, deputy chief physician, Yangxin County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Province

Chen Fang, Head Nurse, Yangxin County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Province