Latest news with #TB-related
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Puducherry becomes first one to include screening for TB patients under initiative of Family Adoption Programme
Puducherry has become the first state to include screening for tuberculosis (TB) patients under the initiative of 'Family Adoption Program' where medical students adopt families as part of their community outreach. When medical students adopt a family, they also screen all members of the family for TB. If any member of the adopted family is found to have symptoms of TB, the students assist with both diagnosis and treatment, said Kavita Vasudevan, Head of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Puducherry, speaking to The Hindu. The National Medical Commission had previously made it mandatory for medical students to adopt 3 to 5 families and follow up with them for three years. Dr. Vasudevan added that to identify the reasons for TB-related deaths, Puducherry has now adopted an initiative of Verbal Autopsy. 'Using this method, doctors at IGMC, Puducherry, are investigating the causes behind deaths due to tuberculosis and identify both patient-related and health system related factors,' she added. She further explained that verbal autopsies are being conducted for 160 cases. 'The findings reveal that the patients present late to the health facilities, and the highest number of deaths occurs after 14 days of diagnosis emphasising the need for multipronged strategies to ensure early health care seeking behaviours,' she added. Puducherry's nine medical colleges are now working as pillars in the UT's TB elimination fight, contributing to 45% of TB notifications and actively participating in Active Case Finding (ACF) drives. Senior UT health official added that the medical colleges are supporting in terms of diagnostic facilities, have ear marked beds for TB patients, conduct IEC activities, and provide support at the community level. These institutions are working with the State TB Cell to identify vulnerable populations and map them as moderate or high risk. The mapped individuals are tested using highly sensitive tests – AI-enabled Handheld chest X-rays and NAAT – molecular diagnostics. People with co-morbidities and other vulnerabilities that predispose them to the disease, are identified in the database and are followed up with in the future case finding drives as well, added officials. The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is being implemented in Puducherry UT from 20th February 2004 under Department of Health & Family Welfare Services and National Health Mission. Puducherry UT has only one NTEP district covering a population of 13.92 lakhs. It has 7 TB units, 28 TB Diagnostic Centres, and an Intermediate Reference Laboratory (IRL) at the Government Hospital for Chest Diseases with culture and drug susceptibility testing facility for diagnosing TB.
India Today
30-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Ministry of Health: Know TB symptoms, get tested without delay
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of India's major public health challenges, despite being a preventable and curable disease. The bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. Early detection is key to successful treatment and preventing the spread of the collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, here's a breakdown of key symptoms to watch out for and why early medical intervention cough for more than two weeks A chronic cough that doesn't improve over two weeks is a classic sign of TB. It may start dry and later produce phlegm. In some cases, it can lead to severe chest and unexplained weight lossOne of the hallmark symptoms of TB is sudden weight loss without any lifestyle or dietary changes. The body's metabolism speeds up as it fights the infection, leading to noticeable weight in sputum (Hemoptysis)Coughing up blood or blood-tinged sputum is a serious symptom and should not be ignored. It suggests the infection is affecting the lungs more pain or discomfortPain in the chest while breathing or coughing may occur, often due to inflammation in the lung linings. This symptom requires immediate evaluation, especially when paired with coughing and breathlessness. advertisement Recent physical changesTB can sometimes bring about visible and internal physical changes, such as fatigue, skin pallor, or altered breathing patterns. These signs may seem subtle, but are important to feversA fever that spikes in the evening is a telltale symptom of TB. Unlike typical viral fevers, TB-related fevers are often low-grade but sweatsExcessive sweating during the night, even in cooler weather or air-conditioned environments, can be a symptom of TB. These episodes may soak clothing or bed and weaknessGeneral tiredness, even without exertion, is another red flag. Many TB patients report feeling weak or unable to carry out everyday or lumps in the bodyTB can also affect lymph nodes or other organs, causing painless swellings or lumps. These can appear in the neck, underarms, or groin and should be checked by a or chronic illnessThose already dealing with other health issues or a compromised immune system are at a higher risk of TB. People living with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or malnutrition are particularly is curable with timely and complete treatment, usually involving a 6-month course of antibiotics. Early detection is crucial to breaking the chain of transmission. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, visit a health facility and get Watch
