World Tuberculosis Day 2025: What You Need to Know
World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, observed on March 24th, commemorates Dr. Robert Koch's 1882 discovery of the TB bacteria, which paved the way for diagnosing and treating this deadly disease.
Theme of World TB Day 2025
The theme for World TB Day 2025, "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver," urges global commitment and funding to eliminate TB, which claims over 4,000 lives daily.
History Behind World TB Day
Dr. Robert Koch discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1882, a milestone in the fight against TB. World TB Day honors this achievement and highlights the continued global effort to end TB.
Symptoms of Tuberculosis
Active TB symptoms include a persistent cough, chest pain, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and fever. It can affect the lungs (pulmonary TB) or other organs like the brain and spine (extrapulmonary TB).
How TB Spreads
TB spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person with active pulmonary TB coughs or sneezes. Close, prolonged contact increases the risk.
Who is at Risk for TB?
Those at higher risk for TB include people with weakened immune systems (e.g., HIV), smokers, young children, the elderly, and those in crowded living conditions.
TB is curable with a 6-month course of antibiotics. Completing the full treatment is crucial to prevent drug-resistant TB, which is harder and more expensive to treat.
Global TB Stats & Drug Resistance
In 2021, 10.6 million TB cases and 1.6 million deaths were reported. Drug-resistant TB is on the rise, with 500,000 cases annually, complicating treatment.
Innovations in TB Treatment
Recent innovations like rapid diagnostic tests and shorter treatment regimens have made it easier to diagnose and treat TB faster, improving outcomes for patients.
To end TB by 2035, we need global collaboration, better treatment access, and increased funding. Let’s commit, invest, and deliver for a TB-free future.