World Tuberculosis Day
March 24, 2016
On March 24, World Tubercolosis Day is commemorated, in honor of the discovery, in 1882, of Mycobacterium tuberculosis; the bacteria that cause it. Its objective is to promote actions to prevent this infectious disease that attacks 2.43 per 100,000 inhabitants in Ecuador, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Public Health.
Tuberculosis is an ailment that mainly affects the lungs and can be spread through the air, the cough or sneeze of an infected person. Its symptoms are fever, cough with phlegm, fatigue, chest pain, among others. Public institutions and private organizations have come together to carry out prevention and training campaigns to eradicate this disease in Ecuadorian territory.
For Dr. Rafael Caputti, doctor of the BMI network of Ecuador Compañía de Seguros de Vida SA, it is essential to know preventive measures to avoid contagion. This infectious disease is one of the most lethal, says the World Health Organization, causing 1.5 million deaths each year.
Thus, the measures to take into account are the following:
- Avoid being around people with active tuberculosis.
- Take into account if you are "vulnerable" to this disease.
- Cover your nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands after coughing.
- Maintain adequate ventilation.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle. (diet and exercise)
- Get vaccinated with BCG to prevent tuberculosis.
- No Smoking. Smoking does not cause tuberculosis, but it does favor the development of the disease.
The WHO aims to put an end to this disease by 2030. The international organization proposes “a world without tuberculosis in which this disease is not a cause of mortality, morbidity and suffering”. For this reason, it is important, says Caputti, doctor of the BMI network of Ecuador Compañía de Seguros de Vida SA, to educate and make the population aware of the impacts of tuberculosis; and at the same time activate protection mechanism.
Finally, it should be said that World Tuberculosis Day is an opportunity for joint participation - to treat and cure this disease - of patients, civil society organizations, health professionals and other social actors that allow them to contribute to its eradication.
