(Image source from: Canva.com)

World TB Day is commemorated every year on March 24, with the objective of enhancing awareness about the critical need to eradicate tuberculosis, which continues to be one of the most lethal infectious diseases across the globe. The observance also underscores the necessity for recommitting and intensifying actions to eliminate TB. The theme for World TB Day in 2025 is "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver," fostering a sense of urgency, optimism, and responsibility toward this cause. This date also marks the anniversary of Dr. Robert Koch's announcement in 1882 about his discovery of the TB-causing bacterium, a breakthrough that paved the way for diagnosing and treating the disease.

Tuberculosis (TB) is primarily a lung infection that can be transmitted through the air when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or spits. The disease is due to the bacterial infection known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which spreads through airborne droplets released by those infected with the illness. If someone has a cough lasting more than three weeks with no clear cause, it is important to consider the possibility of tuberculosis.

Symptoms indicating potential TB include a persistent cough lasting three weeks or more, especially if it contains blood mixed with yellow or green mucus. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should seek testing. In contrast to an ordinary cough that appears suddenly and typically resolves within a short period, a cough associated with TB can be severe and last for extended periods, putting others at risk of infection. While a normal cough generally produces clear or watery phlegm, TB-related coughing usually involves thick phlegm that may be whitish, light yellow, or green due to the infection and inflammation caused by the bacteria. In some instances, patients might report blood-streaked sputum, and severe cases may even lead to significant bleeding.

Unlike a typical cough, tuberculosis is often accompanied by distinctive symptoms such as intermittent fever, chills, night sweats, diminished appetite, substantial weight loss, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. A persistent cough may be one of the initial indicators of pulmonary TB, making it crucial to identify early signs of the disease. Timely intervention can not only lead to a complete cure but also help prevent its transmission to others.