Tuberculosis in India: Understanding the Impact and Prevention
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It's a significant public health concern in India, with millions of cases reported annually. In 2021, there were 21,35,670 TB cases detected in India, resulting in 89,823 reported deaths. Of particular concern is the impact of TB on children, with an estimated 3.33 lakh (333,000) children aged 0–14 years falling ill with TB each year, making up 28% of the global childhood TB burden and contributing to childhood mortality in the country. TB is an infectious disease transmitted through the air, but it doesn't spread easily through casual contact. Close and prolonged contact with an infected person is typically required for transmission. It doesn't spread through common activities like handshakes, kissing, sharing food or drinks, or contact with surfaces. The bacterium can remain suspended in the air for hours, making proper precautions necessary, especially in crowd