European University of Lefke (EUL) Vocational School of Health Services, First and Emergency Aid Department Lecturer Asst. Prof. Dr. Semra Aslay drew attention to “24 March, world tuberculosis awareness day” and gave detailed information.

“Tuberculosis is one of the contagious infectious diseases that took place throughout human history”

Aslay said, “Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the contagious infectious diseases that have taken place throughout human history. Research has proven that this microorganism existed in the world even 150 million years ago. The disease is clearly described in Egyptian papyri and Ancient Greek manuscripts. According to the findings obtained from archaeological excavations, the famous Egyptian queen Nefertiti died of tuberculosis. By the Middle Ages, the disease was so widespread that even superstitions had developed that the patient could be cured only when someone from the royal family touched him. “At the beginning of the 1800s, 12 out of every 1000 people in only one state in America were definitely dying of tuberculosis every year,” she said.

“Tuberculosis is transmitted by inhalation of microscopic droplets in the air”

“For years, the whole world has been in a struggle against this disease. Although many methods and methods were tried, including eating fresh fruit, drinking fresh milk, surgical removal of affected lymph nodes, and traveling to airy areas, until the end of the 1800s, no one knew exactly what he was fighting with. His answer and discovery were made by Robert Koch, who set up a small laboratory 5 years after his graduation and started working, and 16 years later clearly isolated and identified the bacteria. Aslay mentioned that “Robert Koch presented the results of his work on March 24, 1882 at the” Society of Physiology “congress in Berlin. He stated that the protective BCG vaccine was discovered within 39 years after the discovery of tuberculosis, and streptomycin, which could be taken as an oral drug after 65 years, contributed greatly to the reduction of the disease ”.

“The most common cause of transmission is close contact with the person carrying this bacillus”

Aslay continues her explanation, “Tuberculosis is transmitted by inhalation of microscopic droplets in the air. The most common cause of transmission is close contact with the person carrying this bacillus. Cough, fever, weakness, coughing with blood, weight loss is one of the most common symptoms and settles in the lungs. The name of the microbe that causes the disease is Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. If these complaints, which continue for weeks, are not treated, they enter the blood from the lungs. It can then spread to many organs including the spine, brain and kidney. “Tuberculosis that reaches the brain can cause meningitis, and those that settle in the heart can cause death by collecting fluid around it,” she said.

“According to the data of 2015, 1/4 of the world population is infected with tuberculosis. In 2017, 10 million new tuberculosis cases were detected. The World Health Organization has implemented the Tuberculosis Action Plan 2016-2020 and it is aimed to reduce the incidence of TB by 90% in the world by 2030, ”said Aslay, who said that tuberculosis is a disease that can be treated, therefore it is still one of the top 10 causes of death in the world. stated that the number of cases seen has decreased.

“Tuberculosis is a disease that can be cured”

Stating that there is a risk that concurrent new cases of tuberculosis will also show resistance to treatment, Aslay said that Robert Koch and the scientific world of this bacterium were used to raise public awareness for the complete elimination of the disease, and for new cases to be suspicious and apply to the health institution as soon as possible if they have these complaints. She pointed out that 24 March, the day he introduced, is celebrated as “World Tuberculosis Day” every year.

Lastly, Aslay said, “Tuberculosis is not only a national but also a“ World Health Problem ”that resulted in the capture and recovery of 58 million people between 2000 and 2018, requiring 3.3 billion dollars of resources per year. “In order to prevent a disease that can be diagnosed, treated and followed up so widespread, those with complaints should apply to the nearest health institution without waiting to be checked.”