World TB Day: 11 ways to prevent tuberculosis!

Tuberculosis, a deadly disease, can be effectively prevented with simple changes. Read to know more.

With around half a million of people succumbing to Tuberculosis every year in South East Asia, especially India, there is a need to create awareness about this deadly lung disease. Although an infectious disease, you can prevent this disease by implementing stringent prevention strategies. This will not only reduce the spread of the disease but will also aid in lowering the number of deaths caused due to TB.

Before knowing about tips to prevent tuberculosis, here are few things you should know about tuberculosis.

• TB is an airborne disease which affects people whose immunity is compromised. eg: Infants, old people, pregnant women, women who have recently delivered, people living in unsanitary conditions, uncontrolled diabetes patients, cancer patients, HIV positive people. Here is howAmitabh Bachchan fought tuberculosis in 2000.
• Also, if you are in close contact (living together/working together) with people suffering from TB, you have more risk of developing TB.
• Alcoholics, people using illegal drugs and narcotics and people who weigh 10% lower than the recommended body weight are also predisposed to develop TB.

Tips to prevent the spread of Tuberculosis

#1 Avoid close contact

Avoid close contact with people affected with TB. If you cannot avoid contact with them, wear protective masks and gloves.If you work at a hospital, wear good-quality microfiltration masks. Wash your hands with a disinfectant cleanser after contact with the patient. Avoid crowded, stuffy and unhygienic places.

#2 Enhance your immunity

Work on improving your immunity by including diet rich in antioxidants. Have at least 4-5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits every day. If you cannot eat it due to certain practical constraints, make sure you take your daily dose of antioxidants/multivitamins after consulting your doctor. Antioxidants help fight free radicals produced in the body due to any kind of disease/stress and help in cell repair.

#3 Keep a tab on your protein intake

Include at least 2 good servings of protein in your daily diet. They are the building blocks of all our cells and help in cell repair too.

#4 Consume a healthy, nutrient-rich meal

Do not go on a low-carbohydrate diet. You require a good mix of all the elements of food to be healthy. Carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and fats all have their place in maintaining your immune system.

#5 Make it a habit to exercise regularly

Get your daily exercise. Walk regularly for atleast 45 minutes at the least. The improved circulation improves your immunity.

#6 Try meditation to improve your quality of life

Set aside a few minutes for meditation every day. This reduces your daily stress which directly has a bearing on the condition of your immune system.

#7 Always maintain proper hygiene and sanitation

Maintain good hygiene, wherever you are. Washing hands with a good disinfectant soap often is a very under-valued habit. These days, when your exposure to diseases is at one of the highest levels, you just cannot neglect this simple habit.

#8 Get your children vaccinated

As prevention is always better than cure, it is wise to get your kids vaccinated with the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine to protect them against TB. This will ensure that antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis are developed and thus, the chances of suffering from tuberculosis are low. Here are 10 vaccines recommended for your child.

#9 Adhere to medication (NEVER stop course of drugs midway)

Dr Kapil Salgia, consultant pulmonologist says, When people don t adhere to the prescription (medications), it gives an opportunity to TB bacteria to develop resistance to the drugs. When these resistant bacilli are expelled into air, they can be taken in by healthy individuals. This in turn leads to increase in the number of people suffering from multiple drug resistant TB (MDR TB). Hence, makes sure that the prescribed course of treatment is completed. Read about latest treatment for extremely drug-resistant TB could be the answer to a TB-free India

#10 Stay away from stress

You may not be aware of the fact that being stressed out increases your risk of suffering from a wide range of health complications including tuberculosis. This is the reason, why you should stay away from stress. Here are 5 everyday practices that can help you out.

#11 Get your daily dose of sleep

Suffering from sleepless nights is not uncommon in today s life. However, getting your daily dose of sleep is important to stay healthy and prevent diseases. Staying way from food that hinders your sleep is as important as eating foods that help you restore your sleep cycle.

Just by following these simple rules, one can safely prevent TB.

Image Source: Getty Images

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