Let's know the history, signs and symptoms and prevention of Tuberculosis!

TB in Indonesia has a long history. The oldest record of TB in Indonesia was found on one of the reliefs of Borobudur Temple in the 8th century AD. Since the Dutch East Indies period there are several records related to TB activities, namely: The Centrale Vereniging Voor Tuberculose Bestrijding (CVT) Association was formed in 1908 and in 1939 15 sanatoriums were established for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 20 consultatiebureaus that provided counseling and treatment.

After independence, namely during the Old Order era (1945-1966), the Lung Disease Eradication Institute (LP4) was established in Yogyakarta. Known as the Lung Disease Eradication Center (BP4), the institution was disseminated to 53 locations. In 1950 General Soedirman died of tuberculosis.

TUBERCULOSIS (TB) is a
An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis which generally attacks the lungs but can also attack other organs such as the digestive organs, lymph glands, skin, nervous system, muscles, liver, and reproductive system. The bacteria are rod-shaped/bacilli that have special properties that are resistant to acid, therefore these bacteria are also known as Acid Resistant Bacilli (BTA) and will quickly die when exposed to direct sunlight but can survive for several hours in dark and humid conditions.

HOW THE DISEASE SPREADS
Pulmonary tuberculosis can be spread through aerosols (saliva/sneeze droplets) from the mucous membranes of the lungs of patients infected by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacteria then the droplets are inhaled or enter the respiratory tract of healthy people, then the bacteria develop in the lungs of the person.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Pulmonary tuberculosis has signs and symptoms such as:
Cough with phlegm
Shortness of breath or chest pain
Prolonged fever
Body weakness
Decreased appetite 
Weight loss

MANAGEMENT
Tuberculosis can be treated with TB regimen drugs such as Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol, and Streptomycin.  Treatment usually takes 6 months followed by periodic sputum examination to see the success of the treatment.
Some cases of pulmonary tuberculosis may be resistant to the above drugs, so it is necessary to adjust the drug regimen given by using a special regimen for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

PREVENTION
Tuberculosis can be prevented by:
Using a mask or covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing.
Not spitting in any place
Eating nutritious food
Implementing Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS)
Keeping a distance from patients diagnosed with tuberculosis