Pharmacology of the Tuberculosis Epidemic

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Table of Contents

Origin of TB
Demographics
Its frequency
What are the treatments?
What I have learnt from my extensive nursing career
Reacting to an anthrax threat
‘Up and Coming’ Diseases
References

The tuberculosis epidemic has spread across Europe and North America over the last few decades, claiming many lives in the eighteenth century (Thomas, 2006). With over a third of the global population contracting TB infections, paradigmatic questions, such as the origin of TB, its treatment, demographics and frequency remain unexplored in-depth.

Origin of TB

Many scientists began working on the pathogenesis of tuberculosis in the early nineteenth century. Jean-Antoine Villemin demonstrated that tuberculosis bacterium was transmissible in 1865. Later, Robert Koch identified that tubercle bacillus was the etiological agent in transmitting tuberculosis (Thomas, 2006). The author points out that Sanatorium developed as an effective remedy to treat tuberculosis, supplementing the pulmonary collapse procedures of that time. This brought rest to infected lungs and closed cavities.

Demographics

Recent data from the Center for Disease Control (cited in Mokrousov 2013) shows that nearly a third of the global population is infected with TB. In 2013 alone, over 9 million people contracted TB, with records of around 1.5 million deaths resulting from the epidemic. Although it the leading killer of HIV patients, trends show that TB infection rates have declined immeasurably by five to six percent.

Its frequency

Tuberculosis incidences have decreased significantly during the last decade (Mokrousov 2013). This reflects the worldwide efforts of identifying and treating TB, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

What are the treatments?

Public health initiatives included BCG vaccination during World War I. Thomas (2006) emphasizes that advanced treatment in this age included streptomycin and isoniazid that were developed in 1944 and 1952 respectively. Presently, the treatment of TB includes medications such as isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and rifapentine (Mokrousov 2013).

Since people with weakened immune systems have increased chances of contracting the disease, they should begin appropriate treatment to make sure that they complete the treatment for latent TB infection. Most importantly, trends in resistance to first line therapy drugs appear in one out of five cases, making their treatment harder and more expensive.

What I have learnt from my extensive nursing career

Although there is little that I may not have grasped in my nursing career about TB, I have learnt that some treatment regimens such as Rifampicin affect the efficiency of some contraceptive pills. Patients should use alternative contraceptives such as condoms while under such medication. Additionally, I have learnt that TB antibiotics may cause liver or eye damages. Therefore, it is important to test liver functions before beginning treatment. Those undergoing treatment with ethambutol should also check their eyesight first.

Reacting to an anthrax threat

Antibiotics help in preventing illnesses resulting from exposure to anthrax. However, the recommendations state that a person should visit a doctor immediately after exposure. The prescribe drugs are best taken with medical advice and no one should purchase them before seeking medical advice to increase their chances of full recovery.

‘Up and Coming’ Diseases

The CDC has identified a phlebovirus, an upcoming disease that sand flies, mosquitoes, and ticks carry (Grady, 2012). This virus closely relates to the recent Chinese discovery that causes severe illnesses and deaths. Further a Missouri man also contacted a never before seen virus that hospitalizes men with liver abnormalities and diarrhea.

Last, A polio-like illness is paralyzing the limbs of many children and creating difficulties with respiration. Although testing shows that the students do not have polio, the disease has striking similarities with polio. Studies show that the state of California is engaging the Center for Disease Control in finding similar reported cases of the enterovirus.

References

Grady, D. (2012). New Virus Tied to Ticks Poses Puzzle for Doctors. The New York Times. Web.

Mokrousov, I. (2013). Insights into the Origin, Emergence, and Current Spread of a Successful Russian Clone of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 26(2), 342-260.

Thomas, D. (2006). The history of tuberculosis. Respiratory Medicine, 100(11), 1862-70.

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