Tuberculosis Services
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in which case it is known as latent tuberculosis. About 10% of latent infections progress to active disease which, if left untreated, kills about half of those affected. Typical symptoms of active TB are a chronic cough with blood-containing mucus, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. It was historically called consumption due to the weight loss. Infection of other organs can cause a wide range of symptoms.
Tuberculosis is spread from one person to the next through the air when people who have active TB in their lungs cough, spit, speak, or sneeze. People with Latent TB do not spread the disease. Active infection occurs more often in people with HIV/AIDS and in those who smoke. Diagnosis of active TB is based on chest X-rays, as well as microscopic examination and culture of body fluids. Diagnosis of Latent TB relies on the tuberculin skin test (TST) or blood tests.
Prevention of TB involves screening those at high risk, early detection and treatment of cases, and vaccination with the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Those at high risk include household, workplace, and social contacts of people with active TB. Treatment requires the use of multiple antibiotics over a long period of time. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem with increasing rates of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
Gremaltes has been involved in RNTCP ever since; and the Greater Chennai Corporation allocating 9 divisions of Zone 5 of Chennai covering the areas of Anna Nagar, Shenoy Nagar, Kilpauk, and Aminijikarai. Information, Education and Communication activities of Gremaltes have made the public aware of Tuberculosis and encouraged them to come for volunteer testing is there any symptoms. Other than walk ins, private hospitals, Corporation dispensaries, Government hospitals, and the TB hospitals refer patients here for DOTS.
A fully equipped and quality-controlled laboratory for sputum examination is available, sputum examination during diagnosis and follow up and categorization of patients for DOTS are done as per RNTCP guidelines. Dedicated staff for the provision of treatment under observation ensure that the drugs are taken as per requirement and also deal with the Social and Emotional disturbance caused by the disease, as well as ensure regular attendance and follow up.
Apart from treatment services, Gremaltes extended support for the children’s education and nutritional support of patients affected by Tuberculosis. Chennai Corporation Zone V Tuberculosis unit has continued to ensure the best cooperation and advice where required and uninterrupted supply of DOTS drugs and records. Over 4500 TB affected persons were detected, treated and cured since its inception.