Latest news with #Mycobacteriumtuberculosis
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab looks to expand community support for TB patients
Chandigarh: Buoyed by signs of a reduction in the tuberculosis (TB) burden, Punjab is now aiming to expand the reach of Nikshay Mitra, a community support initiative that provides nutritional and treatment assistance to TB patients, to further improve treatment outcomes. Nationally, TB prevalence ranges from 137 to 747 cases per lakh population. In Punjab, the prevalence decreased from 314 to 217 cases per lakh, marking a significant step forward in the state's fight against TB. Caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB primarily affects the lungs and spreads through the air. It is both preventable and curable. As of now, 28,593 TB patients in Punjab are receiving treatment, and 20,252 of them are enrolled in the Nikshay Mitra programme, which is supported by 792 donors, including corporates, NGOs, institutions, elected representatives, and individuals. From Jan 1 to June 19, 30,106 TB cases were notified—19,539 through public health facilities and 10,567 through private facilities. Ludhiana reported the highest number of cases (6,343), followed by Amritsar (4,325), Jalandhar (3,164), and Patiala (3,027). The Nikshay Mitra scheme allows contributors to support TB patients by providing nutritional assistance, diagnostic services, and livelihood opportunities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Patients receive Rs 1,000 per month to support dietary needs during treatment. In addition, private health facilities receive Rs 500 for every TB case reported, along with an additional Rs 500 if the patient's treatment outcome is successfully reported. The govt also provides Rs 500 to non-salaried individuals diagnosed with TB. Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, head, Punjab TB Cell, said that several initiatives are under way to raise awareness about the programme and encourage greater community participation. He also shared that Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria instructed all deputy commissioners and civil surgeons to actively reach out to potential donors in their respective districts. A list of local industries and NGOs has been circulated to support this effort, and additional engagement is planned at the state level. To further strengthen TB control efforts, state and district-level strategic intervention plans have been developed under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), targeting high-burden areas. All TB patients are provided free drugs and diagnostic services, and active case-finding campaigns are being conducted among vulnerable and high-risk populations. Governor steps up support Dr Bhaskar shared that governor Gulab Chand Kataria personally adopted 100 TB patients and asked the health department to identify another 100 patients each from two districts. These new patients will receive his support after the current six-month support period for the initial group of 100 patients from Tarn Taran concludes. TB Cases Notified District | Public notified | Private notified Ludhiana | 2,753 | 3,590 Amritsar | 2,412 | 1,913 Jalandhar | 1,544 | 1,620 Patiala | 1,640 | 1,387 MSID:: 121883101 413 |
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Davao City logs over 2,000 TB cases in Q1 of 2025
Davao City has recorded more than 2,000 tuberculosis (TB) cases in the first quarter of 2025, according to the City Health Office (CHO). Barangay Buhangin recorded the most number of cases, followed by Agdao and Talomo. CHO said that while the numbers appear to be high, this is due to active case finding efforts. In 2024, CHO recorded 8,601 cases. Despite the number of cases, CHO assured the public that the city is well-equipped to respond, with sufficient supply of TB medications available. CHO also strengthened its anti-TB campaign by bringing services closer to the communities. TB screening has been integrated into the CHO's barangay visits, which include chest X-rays, laboratory tests, and skin screenings. TB is a contagious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs. It can become severe if left untreated, but it is curable with proper medication and medical attention. CHO urged residents to seek medical consultation if they experience TB symptoms to avoid further complications and to prevent the spread of the infection. —GMA Regional TV
India Today
30-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Ministry of Health: Know TB symptoms, get tested without delay
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of India's major public health challenges, despite being a preventable and curable disease. The bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. Early detection is key to successful treatment and preventing the spread of the collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, here's a breakdown of key symptoms to watch out for and why early medical intervention cough for more than two weeks A chronic cough that doesn't improve over two weeks is a classic sign of TB. It may start dry and later produce phlegm. In some cases, it can lead to severe chest and unexplained weight lossOne of the hallmark symptoms of TB is sudden weight loss without any lifestyle or dietary changes. The body's metabolism speeds up as it fights the infection, leading to noticeable weight in sputum (Hemoptysis)Coughing up blood or blood-tinged sputum is a serious symptom and should not be ignored. It suggests the infection is affecting the lungs more pain or discomfortPain in the chest while breathing or coughing may occur, often due to inflammation in the lung linings. This symptom requires immediate evaluation, especially when paired with coughing and breathlessness. advertisement Recent physical changesTB can sometimes bring about visible and internal physical changes, such as fatigue, skin pallor, or altered breathing patterns. These signs may seem subtle, but are important to feversA fever that spikes in the evening is a telltale symptom of TB. Unlike typical viral fevers, TB-related fevers are often low-grade but sweatsExcessive sweating during the night, even in cooler weather or air-conditioned environments, can be a symptom of TB. These episodes may soak clothing or bed and weaknessGeneral tiredness, even without exertion, is another red flag. Many TB patients report feeling weak or unable to carry out everyday or lumps in the bodyTB can also affect lymph nodes or other organs, causing painless swellings or lumps. These can appear in the neck, underarms, or groin and should be checked by a or chronic illnessThose already dealing with other health issues or a compromised immune system are at a higher risk of TB. People living with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or malnutrition are particularly is curable with timely and complete treatment, usually involving a 6-month course of antibiotics. Early detection is crucial to breaking the chain of transmission. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, visit a health facility and get Watch
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
IIIT-Delhi, French researchers develop AI tool to outsmart drug-resistant superbugs
New Delhi: In a boost to scientific advancement aimed at curbing the global threat of drug-resistant infections, researchers from the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology-Delhi ( IIIT-Delhi ) and France's Inria Saclay have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system that can recommend effective combinations of existing antibiotics to fight superbugs . Superbugs are germs like bacteria and fungi that cause hard-to-treat infections. Most superbugs are bacteria that have developed antibiotic resistance - the ability to survive antibiotic medications. The project, jointly led by Professor Angshul Majumdar and Dr Emilie Chouzenoux, is part of a broader India-France research collaboration between Deep Light (Delhi) and CentraleSupelec, a French engineering school, said an official statement of IIIT-D. The team includes engineer Stuti Jain and graduate researchers Kriti Kumar and Sayantika Chatterjee, it added. "This is an excellent example of how AI and international collaboration can come together to solve real-world medical challenges and our method makes it possible to use existing knowledge more effectively and opens the door to smarter, faster responses to antimicrobial resistance (AMR)," Prof. Majumdar told PTI. AMR occurs when bacteria adapt to antibiotics, rendering them ineffective. Prof. Majumdar said the misuse of antibiotics, particularly in countries like India, is a major contributor to the crisis. "We often take antibiotics even for viral infections, which don't require them. Over time, bacteria evolve and adapt. As a result, even simple infections like urinary tract infections or wounds can become resistant to treatment," he added. The AI system that the team developed goes far beyond traditional rule-based models. It analyzes real-world clinical decisions from leading Indian hospitals and combines this with bacterial genome data and the chemical structure of antibiotics to recommend optimal treatment options. The system was successfully tested on multi-drug resistant strains like Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Prof. Majumdar shared a harrowing case from AIIMS, Kalyani, where a young patient's artificial hip joint became infected and was unresponsive to even last-resort antibiotics. "It was a simple muscle infection, but it became untreatable. The patient from a poor family was left bedridden and without options," he said. "This is the reality of AMR - it can devastate lives even when the infection seems ordinary." The professor said the AI model offers combination therapy suggestions, mirroring how doctors treat advanced cases today. "Instead of recommending one antibiotic, our system can propose a cocktail of drugs based on the genome sequence of the bacteria," said Majumdar. "Doctors can ask for five or ten possible options for a specific strain and the AI suggests viable treatments," he added. While the model is currently focused on bacterial infections, it can be retrained to tackle viral infections or even lifestyle diseases like hypertension, where drug resistance is emerging. "Our core motivation was to address infectious diseases - a problem that plagues countries in Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America far more than it does the West," said Majumdar. "There's less funding for this kind of work, but the impact is massive," he added. The team hopes that their model would eventually be embedded in hospital systems and public health frameworks, particularly in regions with limited access to advanced diagnostics. With AMR recognized as one of the most pressing global health threats of the 21st century, this AI-powered solution may offer doctors a timely, data-driven ally in the battle to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Can Natural Remedies Help Cure Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), TB claimed 1.3 million lives in 2022 alone, with India accounting for over 28% of global cases. With antibiotic resistance and long treatment durations posing challenges, many people are exploring natural remedies as supportive care options. But can herbs, home remedies, or dietary practices actually cure TB? Experts emphasise that while natural therapies may help boost immunity and reduce symptoms, they should never replace conventional treatment. Here's a closer look at what works, and what doesn't, when it comes to natural healing. Natural remedies should only be complementary Natural remedies can aid in symptom management and help strengthen immunity, but they cannot cure TB. The WHO and India's Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) clearly state that Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) using antibiotics is the only proven cure. Relying solely on home remedies can delay recovery and increase risk of drug resistance. 1. Garlic has antibacterial properties, but isn't a cure Garlic contains allicin, which exhibits antimicrobial action. While it may support the immune system, no clinical studies confirm garlic alone can treat tuberculosis. It can be a supportive food when added to the diet under medical supervision. 2. Turmeric helps with inflammation and lung health Curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which may relieve tuberculosis-related inflammation. A warm glass of turmeric milk may ease symptoms, but again, it cannot replace prescribed antibiotics. 3. Amla (Indian gooseberry) may help build immunity Rich in Vitamin C, amla supports immune health and aids in tissue repair. It's a valuable addition to tuberculosis patients' diets but not a standalone treatment. 4. Tulsi (holy basil) can support respiratory health Tulsi leaves have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. Drinking tulsi tea may help soothe the throat and reduce cough, offering mild symptomatic relief, not cure. 5. Black pepper and honey for cough relief A mix of honey and pepper may provide relief from persistent coughing in tuberculosis patients. However, honey should be used with caution in diabetic patients. 6. A protein-rich diet is essential for recovery Malnutrition weakens immunity. tuberculosis patients must consume protein-rich foods like eggs, pulses, paneer, and nuts to rebuild tissue and fight infection. WHO stresses that proper nutrition speeds recovery. 7. Adequate rest and hydration matter Home remedies are incomplete without basic care: rest, fluids, and stress management. These elements are critical for the body to absorb medications and rebuild strength. Natural remedies can support tuberculosis recovery by strengthening immunity and easing symptoms, but they are not a cure. Antibiotic treatment under a government-monitored DOTS programme remains the only medically approved path to recovery. Trusting home cures alone may lead to complications or drug resistance. Always consult a doctor before combining natural remedies with prescribed treatment. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
