Tuberculosis in China

Tuberculosis in China

Introduction

The persistence of tuberculosis (TB) as a public health problem is as much a social phenomenon as it is a biological one. As far back as the time of Hippocrates in classical antiquity, TB was commonly referred to as “consumption” because of the characteristic deterioration of the body associated with the disease. Evidence extracted from the mummies of ancient civilizations has revealed that the TB bacillus has plagued human beings for tens of thousands of years. Still in the early 21st century, it is estimated that there are 8 to 12 million new cases of TB worldwide each year. The disease exhibits one of the highest infection rates of all known diseases. The causative agent of TB was discovered by Robert Koch in 1882 to be the rod-shaped bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria may infect the lungs and spread to others through sneezing, coughing, spitting, or talking. Notably, only a smaller number of the bacilli need to be inhaled for a person to become infected. Although pulmonary TB is the most well-known variant, TB may also affect the brain, bones, skin and lymph nodes, genitals, and other tissues that can be eaten away by the bacteria. In addition to weight loss, other symptoms include breathlessness, coughing, fever, malaise, anemia, the disruption of metabolic functions, and psychological disturbances. Pulmonary TB may be identified through sputum (i.e., phlegm from deep inside the chest) microscopy, chest x-rays, or a skin test.

Discussion

Tuberculosis is an acute health problem, particularly in the developing countries of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The resurgence in tuberculosis be- tween 1985 and 1993 was mainly the result of its oc- currence in persons infected with human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In addition to individ­uals infected with HIV, there are other groups with a higher incidence of tuberculosis, including those having close contacts with infectious tubercular in­dividuals; those with medical conditions such as silicosis, diabetes, end-stage renal disease, hematologic disease, and immunosuppressive therapy; intravenous drug users and alcoholics; and those in long-term care facilities, such as prisons and nursing homes. The treatment of tuberculosis has been complicated by the emergence of drug-resistant organisms, including multiple-drug-resistant tuberculosis, especially in those with HIV infection. See also: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Tuberculosis in China

The Tuberculosis is a major problem of public health in China . China has the second TB epidemic largest in the world (after India ), but progress in tuberculosis control was slow during the 1990s. Detection of tuberculosis has stagnated at around 30% of total estimated new cases and tuberculosis resistant to several antibiotoques was a major problem. These signs of inadequate control of tuberculosis may be related to a malfunction of the health system . The spread of atypical pneumonia (SARS) in 2003, highlighted the weaknesses of the substantial public health in China . After the SARS outbreak has been controlled, the government increased its commitments and guidelines for dealing with public health problems and, among various measures, increased subsidies ...