Impact of COVID 19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis

Abstract

Covid19 or SARS COV 2 is the most dreaded pandemic of the century, causing widespread mortality and morbidity. On the other hand, tuberculosis is an age-old disease killing billions around the globe every year. Both the diseases have caused a significant loss of human lives along with socio-economic constraints. While SARS Cov 2 is a very new disease, tuberculosis is known to humanity for thousands of years. Tuberculosis is an airborne infection while Covid spreads via droplet spread and through fomite as well. Tuberculosis and complications related to it may lead to increased mortality due to poor lung compliance. Moreover, Tuberculosis control programmed may get affected due to the ongoing pandemic. To decrease the adverse outcome of Covid19 on Tb strict measures like proper social distancing, hand hygiene, compliance to Anti Tubercular drugs, domiciliary Tb care and strengthening immune system may prove important. Measures like the use of masks, proper cough hygiene and repeated washing of hands may play a role in decreasing the spread of tuberculosis as well and might also play a role in the elimination of tuberculosis. The article also highlights the measures taken in a rural hospital in central India for the management of COVID 19 and Tuberculosis and the possible difficulties faced in the management of tuberculosis during the Covid pandemic.