What Is COVID-19?
The name of this virus has been the most pronounced in our own houses and hospitals since December 2019. This virus is a deadly one shattering the lives of many. Though no permanent cure for COVID is available right now, COVID vaccines are the biggest relief to break the chain and eradicate the virus from the planet. It is our responsibility to stay careful during this pandemic situation. If you are an older adult or suffering from any other illness, you should be more careful than others. Since COVID-19 produces some respiratory symptoms, it is suspected to be associated with other respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis. The most challenging part is the diagnosis, as they share similar symptoms.
What Is Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease. It is known to affect the respiratory system. The transmission of this disease occurs through the exposure of respiratory droplets expelled by the patient during coughing, sneezing, and sharing of food plates and glasses with others. Kissing can also lead to the transmission of tuberculosis from an infected person to another person due to the exchange of saliva. In most cases, the patients do not experience any symptoms. When the symptoms begin to appear, they might present with the symptoms such as weight loss, night sweats, fever, and extreme cold. Patients who are having multiple symptoms might require an antibiotic treatment that prolongs for a long duration. There are four stages of tuberculosis, and the time taken for all four stages to occur would be only one month. Only patients who have an active infection are considered to be contagious. Not all patients with tuberculosis can spread the infection to others. However, considering the pandemic situation, completely avoiding a person who is having respiratory symptoms is the right choice.
What Are the Risk Factors?
There is no evidence to show that patients suffering from tuberculosis will have a high mortality rate with COVID-19. But, if the patient is suffering from both tuberculosis and COVID-19, then the patients are known to respond poorly to the treatments. If the patients who are already having tuberculosis stop the medication for its treatment, then the year prognosis rate for COVID-19 will gradually decrease. Risk factors for COVID-19 are obstructive pulmonary lung disease, diabetes, and old age.
What Are the Similarities Between Tuberculosis and COVID-19?
Both tuberculosis and COVID-19 share similar routes of transmission. In tuberculosis, the bacteria that is suspended in the air remains in the form of droplet nuclei for several hours. In COVID-19, transmission occurs mainly through the respiratory droplets expelled by the affected patient.
What Is the Influence of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis?
According to the reports of the World Health Organization, the mortality rates in tuberculosis patients are expected to increase by 13%. In the studies that were carried out in 2020, study results show that approximately 1.4 million people died from tuberculosis. Since the value is relatively high, additional care and concern should be provided by the medical team to the tuberculosis patients.
What Are the Prevention Measures?
A proper healthcare implementation measure should be followed in all the countries in order to restrict the transmission of tuberculosis and COVID-19. It should happen both in social settings and hospitals. The protection measures should involve personal protection, environmental protection, and also efforts at the administrative levels such as public laws to minimize the virus’ spread. Hospital management experts should formulate better plans to prevent the spread of infections. The general things to be followed are:
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Use ideal hand-washing techniques. It is good to wash your hands with soap and water.
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Maintain a particular distance from others. Social functions and gatherings should be completely avoided.
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If kids are present in the house, teach them proper hygiene measures. Tell them to stay away from the infected people and the elderly.
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Wear mouth masks and gloves for safety measures. It is necessary to change these masks and gloves after usage.
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Proper isolation techniques should be followed according to the government norms.
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Social distancing is a universal healthy measure.
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If a hand-washing protocol is difficult to be followed in the hospital setup, then hand sanitizers can be used as an alternative method.
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Hospital is the place with the highest risk of infection. If there is any necessity to visit a doctor regarding tuberculosis or any other conditions, you can try virtual consultations on any online platform like icliniq.
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Do not forget to get your vaccination doses for COVID. Get vaccinated completely for COVID with the available COVID vaccine at your place immediately.
What Are the Diagnostic Methods?
The diagnostic methods for COVID-19 are different from those diagnostic methods that are followed for tuberculosis. But, if any respiratory symptoms are noticed in the patient, then he must be tested for both COVID-19 and tuberculosis. To identify tuberculosis, a chest X-ray and sputum examination are carried out. If the test results for the chest X-ray are positive, then the sputum culture is performed. The diagnostic tests for COVID-19 include nucleic acid amplification tests (such as the polymerase chain reaction and rapid antigen-based tests). It is necessary for a few patients to get tested for both tuberculosis and COVID-19. The indications for both the diagnostic tests are:
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Presence of clinical features of both conditions.
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Exposure to both tuberculosis and COVID-19.
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Presence of risk factors for both conditions.
What Are the Treatment Options for Tuberculosis?
Treatment options would be the same for all tuberculosis patients until and unless they are influenced by a coronavirus. Multifactorial management therapy would be required for patients who are suffering. It is the responsibility of medical care to provide ventilation facilities for tuberculosis and COVID patients.
Vaccination Protocol
The vaccination for tuberculosis, BCG - bacillus Calmette-Guerin, is definitely not going to be the solution for COVID-19. COVID vaccinations such as Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik, etc., developed in such a short span, are surely the solution to save humankind from the deadly virus. It is our responsibility to stay safe. Negligence is the main cause of excessive spread rates. Self-isolation in tuberculosis patients can restrict the spread of infection. Follow the hygiene and safety protocols.
For further consultation and queries, call a doctor online.
