Deadly infections revealed to be skyrocketing globally, posing risks beyond the common cold
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In a world where the common cold is often dismissed with a tissue and a cup of tea, a far more sinister illness is masquerading as a mere sniffle.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning: an infection has become the leading infectious disease killer globally, surpassing even the formidable COVID-19.
The figures are alarming, with 8.2 million cases reported last year.
This ancient disease, which haunted the Victorian era with its deadly touch, is making a formidable comeback.
The early stages of Tuberculosis can indeed resemble a cold or flu, lulling sufferers into a false sense of security.
Yet, this is a disease that can claim the lives of one in six people it infects.
Despite the increase in cases, the WHO has noted a slight decrease in deaths from TB, from 1.32 million in 2022 to 1.25 million in 2023.
However, this is no cause for complacency.
Tuberculosis is a slow killer, often taking years to reach its fatal conclusion, meaning the true impact of this surge may not be fully realised for some time.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, has expressed outrage at the persistence of TB, especially given the availability of tools to prevent, detect, and treat it.
The situation is particularly concerning in Britain, where cases are also rising.
The latest data suggests a 7 per cent increase in 2024 compared to the previous year, following an 11 per cent spike that prompted health officials to investigate the causes of this resurgence.
The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has been vigilant, urging the public to remember that not every persistent cough is due to flu or COVID-19.
Dr Esther Robinson, head of the tuberculosis unit at UKHSA, has highlighted that a cough-producing mucus that lasts longer than three weeks could be a sign of TB.
The disease is more prevalent in certain parts of the world, mainly urban and deprived areas, and individuals not born in the country often bring it into the UK.
Due to the subtlety of its symptoms, TB can go undetected for years, making it a silent invader.
Tuberculosis is primarily a lung infection, spread through the coughs and sneezes of those infected, but it can also affect other parts of the body.
Alarmingly, some studies suggest that TB can be spread passively by infected individuals simply through breathing, even if they are asymptomatic.
The early symptoms of TB—coughs, fevers, night sweats, and weight loss—can easily be mistaken for less serious illnesses.
However, if left untreated, severe TB can ravage the body's organs, leading to bleeding and fluid accumulation, and ultimately death.
The disease poses a particular threat to the immunocompromised, such as those undergoing chemotherapy and the more vulnerable segments of the population, including young children and the elderly.
A vaccine known as the BCG offers protection against TB but is typically reserved for those at higher risk of contracting it.
Have you or someone you know been affected by tuberculosis? How do you feel about the resurgence of this disease? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning: an infection has become the leading infectious disease killer globally, surpassing even the formidable COVID-19.
The figures are alarming, with 8.2 million cases reported last year.
This ancient disease, which haunted the Victorian era with its deadly touch, is making a formidable comeback.
Tuberculosis is warned to be the world's leading infectious disease killer, surpassing COVID-19. Credit: Shutterstock
The early stages of Tuberculosis can indeed resemble a cold or flu, lulling sufferers into a false sense of security.
Yet, this is a disease that can claim the lives of one in six people it infects.
Despite the increase in cases, the WHO has noted a slight decrease in deaths from TB, from 1.32 million in 2022 to 1.25 million in 2023.
However, this is no cause for complacency.
Tuberculosis is a slow killer, often taking years to reach its fatal conclusion, meaning the true impact of this surge may not be fully realised for some time.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, has expressed outrage at the persistence of TB, especially given the availability of tools to prevent, detect, and treat it.
The situation is particularly concerning in Britain, where cases are also rising.
The latest data suggests a 7 per cent increase in 2024 compared to the previous year, following an 11 per cent spike that prompted health officials to investigate the causes of this resurgence.
The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has been vigilant, urging the public to remember that not every persistent cough is due to flu or COVID-19.
Dr Esther Robinson, head of the tuberculosis unit at UKHSA, has highlighted that a cough-producing mucus that lasts longer than three weeks could be a sign of TB.
The disease is more prevalent in certain parts of the world, mainly urban and deprived areas, and individuals not born in the country often bring it into the UK.
Due to the subtlety of its symptoms, TB can go undetected for years, making it a silent invader.
Tuberculosis is primarily a lung infection, spread through the coughs and sneezes of those infected, but it can also affect other parts of the body.
Alarmingly, some studies suggest that TB can be spread passively by infected individuals simply through breathing, even if they are asymptomatic.
The early symptoms of TB—coughs, fevers, night sweats, and weight loss—can easily be mistaken for less serious illnesses.
However, if left untreated, severe TB can ravage the body's organs, leading to bleeding and fluid accumulation, and ultimately death.
The disease poses a particular threat to the immunocompromised, such as those undergoing chemotherapy and the more vulnerable segments of the population, including young children and the elderly.
A vaccine known as the BCG offers protection against TB but is typically reserved for those at higher risk of contracting it.
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