in what way is tuberculosis prevented?

The world health organization WHO has estimated 1/3rd of the world's population is infected with the tb bacterium. As the disease has become very big it is important to find ways to prevent it, to stop the spread of the disease.

The most basic tip is to not spend too much time with a tuberculosis patient who is not treated yet. If there is no other choice but to spend time together, it should be done in a room that is neither enclosed nor stuffy. When a person is around a tuberculosis patient a lot he should be tested to be sure he is not infected himself.

To prevent tuberculosis there are two main steps that need to be taken. First of all to stop the transmission from one person to another and secondly preventing latent tuberculosis from becoming active and infectious. To prevent the spread of the tuberculosis bacterium the tuberculosis patients need to be detected.  By treating a person with tuberculosis correctly he will become non-infectious which will prevent the transmission of tuberculosis.   Medics treating someone with TB have to wear protective equipment (respirator or doctor mask) during the time with infected person.  
In the prevention of the activation of bacteria during latent infection, it is more important to take antibiotics. Protective antibiotic treatment must be used by everyone who has a contact with infected person. Another option is to take chemoprophylaxis which prevents the rise the infection. Chemoprophylaxis will help the prevention of latent tuberculosis turning into active tuberculosis. Primary chemoprophylaxis is focused on a healthy but endangered person. However, the secondary chemoprophylaxis should prevent transition from infection to disease.

The tuberculosis vaccination BCG is used in a lot of countries to prevent tuberculosis. It is mostly used with children and provides excellent protection for them. However, it does not help against the transmission of the bacterium from one adult to another. The usage of the BCG vaccination is limited as it does not help against transmission.  In 6th week of our life starts the prevention against tuberculosis by vaccination. If the child was not vaccinated, it will be after all vaccinations in vaccination schedule and after first year of life just in case if the tuberculin test is negative. The principle of vaccination is application of BCG vaccine – our body can make an antibody against weakened bacteria. With this vaccine the infection with tuberculosis bacteria cannot be avoided, but it can stimulate the creation of special defence cells. So, the risk of disease and the rate of complications are decreasing. BCG Vaccination is recommended for the following groups of people:

• Infants and children who live in areas with high risk of getting tuberculosis
• Children that are being treated for leukemia or severe neurodermatitis.
• Siblings and parents of infected people
• Staff in the areas of pediatrics, care for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
• Staff in child care facilities

The immune response is more turbulent and can protect against the infection during later intercourse. The protection of vaccination BCG will last a lifetime, although it may give false results in test screenings for TB.

written by: Kamila klamova,Marleen de Jonge and Loebna Sabbah