March 24, 2025 – World Tuberculosis Day.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (commonly referred to as Koch's bacilli or Koch's rods in honor of the German scientist Robert Koch, who discovered them in 1882). It affects the entire body: lungs, brain, kidneys, lymph nodes, bones, eyes, skin.

MODES AND SOURCES OF INFECTION

Tuberculosis is transmitted in two ways – through the air and through food.

The main source of infection spread is a person with tuberculosis, who, when coughing or sneezing, releases tiny droplets of sputum and saliva containing numerous tuberculosis pathogens. If the patient has an open form of tuberculosis, a droplet of their sputum can contain up to 2-3 million bacteria. In a day, they release from 15 million to 7 billion mycobacteria and infect 10-15 people per year. Bacteria enter the lungs of children and adults near the infected person through the air.

Infection through food and household items can occur when consuming milk from a cow with tuberculosis or when sharing utensils, toiletries, etc., with a person suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.

MAIN SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF TUBERCULOSIS

• Prolonged cough (more than three weeks) or a cough with sputum production, possibly with blood.
• Chest pain.
• Loss of appetite, weight loss.
• Increased sweating (especially at night).
• General malaise and weakness.
• Occasional slight increase in body temperature (37.2-37.4 °C).
• Redness and swelling of the skin during the Mantoux test measuring 5 mm or more in children and adolescents indicates not the disease itself, but the fact of infection, therefore, in-depth examination of the child is required.

TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTION

The most important methods of tuberculosis prevention in children, adolescents, and adults are:

1.BCG vaccination — tuberculosis vaccination (vaccination is carried out according to the National immunization schedule). 2.Preventive medical examination of the population (X-ray fluorography) at least once every 2 years for the entire population and annually for risk groups.

3.Non-specific prevention: always wash your hands before eating. Regularly ventilate rooms. Give up bad habits. Maintain cleanliness and order in and around your premises, do not allow dust to accumulate. Perform daily wet cleaning of your apartment and furniture. Do not clean clothes and shoes in the room. Observe your diet. Observe your work and rest schedule. Harden your body. Start your morning with exercises. Engage in physical education and sports. Spend more time outdoors. Combat