24/05/2025
As of the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, 10.8 million people are affected by TB globally.
It has become the leading infectious disease killer, surpassing COVID-19 in 2023.
Early detection of tuberculosis (TB) is essential for controlling the spread of the disease and ensuring effective treatment. Recognizing the initial symptoms—such as a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, mild fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue—can prompt timely medical evaluation. Diagnostic tools like the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs), chest X-rays, sputum analysis, and molecular tests such as GeneXpert play a critical role in identifying both latent and active TB. High-risk groups, including individuals with weakened immune systems, close contacts of TB patients, and people living in high-burden regions, should be prioritized for routine screening. Detecting TB early not only improves treatment outcomes but also significantly reduces the risk of transmission.
