The History of Tuberculosis and How We Can Fight It Today

When you think of Tuberculosis, you might picture old photos of sickly patients in sanatoriums, or maybe a scene from a historical drama set in Victorian England. But TB isn't just a disease of the past—it's still very much with us today. Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, and it's on the rise in developed countries like the United States. In this blog post, we'll explore the history of Tuberculosis and what we can do to fight it today.

The Early History of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It most commonly affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys, and spine. The first recorded case of tuberculosis was in Egypt in 1600 BCE, and there is evidence that the disease was present in Europe by 5000 BCE. However, it wasn't until 1882 that German physician Robert Koch discovered that M. tuberculosis was the cause of TB.

The Rise and Fall (and Rise Again) of Tuberculosis

In the early 1800s, tuberculosis was responsible for one out of every seven deaths in Europe. By 1900, that number had risen to one out of every four deaths worldwide. Thanks to improved living conditions and advances in medicine, the incidence of TB began to decline in developed countries in the early 20th century. However, the disease has made a comeback in recent years due to drug-resistant strains and HIV/AIDS. In 2018, there were an estimated 10 million new cases of TB worldwide, and 1.5 million people died from the disease.

How You Can Help Fight Tuberculosis Today

There are many ways you can help fight TB both here in the United States and around the world. One way is to donate to organizations working to find a cure for TB such as Stop TB USA or Treatment Action Group. You can also support research initiatives like those conducted by the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development or the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics. And finally, you can raise awareness about TB by sharing information about the disease with your friends and family members.

While tuberculosis is a serious global health problem, there is a reason for hope. With the right treatment and precautions, TB is curable. And by working together, we can help stop the spread of this disease and save lives.

Conclusion:

Tuberculosis is a disease that has been with us for thousands of years, and unfortunately, it's still with us today. But there is hope—with advances in medicine and increased awareness about TB, we can beat this disease once and for all. So let's roll up our sleeves and get to work!