Tuberculosis (T.B.) remains a significant public health challenge in India, including in Odisha. Despite being both preventable and curable, it continues to affect millions of people every year. Understanding the disease — its causes, symptoms, and treatment — is the first step toward protecting yourself and your family.
T.B. is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs (pulmonary T.B.) but can also involve other organs including lymph nodes, spine, kidneys, and brain (extra-pulmonary T.B.). It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria.
The most common symptoms include a persistent cough lasting more than 2–3 weeks, coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, evening fever and night sweats, and fatigue. If you or a family member experience these symptoms — especially in combination — it is important to seek medical evaluation promptly.
Diagnosis involves a combination of clinical assessment, chest X-ray, sputum tests (including smear microscopy and culture), and in some cases, CT scanning or bronchoscopy. Modern molecular tests such as GeneXpert can also rapidly identify T.B. and detect drug resistance.
The good news is that drug-sensitive T.B. is fully curable with a complete course of anti-tuberculosis therapy under the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short-course) programme. Treatment typically lasts 6 months. It is absolutely critical that patients complete the full course — stopping early can lead to drug-resistant T.B., which is far more difficult and expensive to treat.
If you are concerned about T.B. symptoms or require a consultation, contact Dr. Asutosh Rout at Sai shree polyclinic, Cuttack.
Need a Consultation?
If you have concerns about your respiratory health, Dr. Asutosh Rout is available for consultations at Sai shree polyclinic, Cuttack.
Call: +91 70085 12773