How improved technology has made diagnosis of TB quicker

Improved technology has made diagnosis of tuberculosis quicker and better drugs have reduced the treatment time and improved the prospects of recovery, a
doctor said at an awareness programme for tuberculosis (TB) at a private hospital recently.

TB is a notifiable disease. All doctors, including private practitioners and those working in private hospitals, must inform the government if a patient under their treatment tests positive for TB, said Debraj Jash, director of the department of pulmonology at Medica Superspecialty Hospital and AMRI Hospitals Salt Lake.

Diagnostic tests like bronchoscopy, EBUS and thoroscopy have made the detection of TB more accurate and faster.

“Sometimes TB does not get detected in a sputum test. In such cases a bronchoscopy can help in collecting samples from the portion of the chest where something suspicious is noticed in a CT scan,” said Jash.

“As doctors we must inform the government whenever we come across a TB patient.”

Jash said it is a myth that only people from low economic background or those who are socially disadvantaged contract TB.

“Almost an equal number of people from affluent families suffer from the disease,” he said.

The website of the World Health Organisation (WHO) says: “Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria. It spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or spit.”

The website says: “About a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB bacteria. About 5-10% of people infected with TB will eventually get symptoms and develop TB disease.” Telegraph India