World Tuberculosis Day: 18 facts you need to know — and how to protect yourself

Every day, thousands of Nigerians navigate through noisy streets, boarding crowded buses, brushing past strangers in markets, and inhaling the shared air of the country’s relentless pursuits. Unseen in this daily routine is a silent threat: tuberculosis (TB), an airborne disease that, despite being preventable and curable, continues to claim lives.

In 2024, Lagos reported 15,000 diagnosed cases. Yet, an estimated 32,000 people are believed to be living with the infection in the state. This means nearly 17,000 cases remain undetected, hidden behind stigma, misinformation, and delayed treatment.

Nigeria recorded over 400,000 TB cases in 2024, the highest ever reported in the country with over 71,000 deaths attributed to the disease. In 2023, Nigeria accounted for 4.6% of global cases, with an estimated 498,000 incident cases, ranking sixth among the eight countries driving over two-thirds of the global TB burden, behind India (2.8 million), Indonesia (1.1 million), and others.

The country remains the nation with the highest TB burden in Africa. The next highest countries in the region are the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with 323,000 cases and South Africa with 263,000 cases.

Globally, TB is reclaiming its position as the world’s deadliest infectious disease, surpassing COVID-19. In 2023, 10.8 million people fell ill, with 1.25 million deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report 2024. The global incidence rate rose by 0.2% from 2022 to 2023, hitting 134 per 100,000, well short of WHO’s target of 70 by 2025, from a 2015 baseline of 140.

But despite the growing numbers, many still dismiss TB as a relic of the past, a disease that only affects the poor or those living with HIV. This year’s World TB Day, March 24, themed “Yes! We Can End TB!”, calls for a collective push to dismantle the barriers to early diagnosis and treatment. Misinformation fuels these barriers, keeping TB shrouded in fear and ignorance.

What is TB?

TB is caused by the bacterium mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), though it can spread to other organs such as the brain, kidneys, or spine (extrapulmonary TB). It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

Common symptoms of TB

TB often goes unnoticed at first, mistaken for milder illnesses. Common symptoms include a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, which may produce phlegm or blood, unexplained weight loss, an ongoing fever, night sweats that disrupt sleep, etc. These signs indicate the body is battling an infection that requires medical attention.

It’s time to challenge the myths keeping TB alive. Here’s what you need to know about tuberculosis according to factsheets sourced from WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP).

EIGHTEEN MYTHS ABOUT TB DEBUNKED

1. Myth: TB is a disease of the past.

Fact: TB continues to be one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, affecting millions each year. Despite medical advancements, it remains a significant public health threat in Nigeria and globally.

2. Myth: Only poor people get TB.

Fact: TB affects all socioeconomic groups. Poverty heightens risk through malnutrition, overcrowding, and limited healthcare access, but the bacteria spreads via airborne droplets, infecting anyone exposed, regardless of wealth.

3. Myth: TB is always fatal.

Fact: TB is curable with the right treatment. Most people recover fully when they complete the prescribed course of antibiotics, but stopping treatment too soon can lead to complications or drug resistance.

4. Myth: TB is hereditary.

Fact: TB is not inherited; it is an airborne disease. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, they release bacteria into the air, which others can inhale. Close and prolonged contact with an infected person increases the risk of transmission; genetics play no role in spreading the disease.

5. Myth: You can catch TB from sharing food or touching someone.

Fact: TB transmission requires inhaling airborne droplets, not through physical touch or shared objects. Unlike common infections that spread via contaminated surfaces or food, TB bacteria must be inhaled to cause infection. This means everyday interactions like shaking hands, hugging, or sharing meals do not transmit the disease.

6. Myth: TB only affects the lungs.

Fact: While pulmonary TB primarily affects the lungs, it can also spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, kidneys, spine, and bones. This form, known as extrapulmonary TB, can cause serious complications depending on the organ involved.

7. Myth: If you have TB, you will know immediately.

Fact: Latent TB infection (LTBI) has no visible symptoms, making it easy to overlook. While it remains inactive in most people, it can develop into active TB if the immune system weakens or the infection is left untreated.

8. Myth: TB is the same as a common cold.

Fact: TB symptoms last much longer than a common cold. Signs like coughing up blood or extreme fatigue make it even more distinct and should not be ignored.

9. Myth: TB cannot be prevented.

Fact: Prevention includes the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine for children, improved ventilation, masks in high-risk areas, and Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT). Early detection also curbs spread.

10. Myth: If you had TB once, you can’t get it again.

Fact: Reinfection occurs, especially in high-exposure areas or if treatment is incomplete. Immunocompromised individuals, like those with HIV, face a higher risk of recurrence.

Drug resistance and treatment myths

11. Myth: TB treatment is quick and easy.

Fact: Standard treatment lasts 6-9 months with daily antibiotics (e.g., isoniazid, rifampicin). Stopping early fosters drug-resistant strains, requiring up to 24 months of therapy.

12. Myth: Drug-resistant TB is untreatable.

Fact: Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is treatable with second-line drugs like bedaquiline, though regimens last 9-20 months. Sticking to the full course of medication is crucial to overcoming the infection.

13. Myth: TB only affects older people.

Fact: TB strikes all ages. Children under five and adults over 65 are at higher risk due to weaker immunity.

14. Myth: HIV and TB are unrelated.

Fact: HIV weakens the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to TB infection and increasing the risk of it developing into an active disease.

15. Myth: TB is a punishment or curse.

Fact: TB is a bacterial infection, not a spiritual affliction. This misconception, common in many parts of Nigeria, delays diagnosis and fuels stigma.

Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT)

What is TPT?

TPT is a preventive treatment given to people who have latent TB infection to stop it from progressing into active TB disease. These include the long-standing six-month Isoniazid (6H) regimen, the three-month Isoniazid and Rifampicin (3HR) introduced in 2021, and the latest one-month Isoniazid and Rifapentine (1HP) regimen introduced in late 2023. It is crucial for people living with HIV (PLHIV), children under five exposed to TB, and household contacts of TB patients.

Common myths about TPT

16. Myth: TPT is only for people who already have TB.

Fact: TPT targets latent TB infection, not active disease. It’s given to those testing positive but showing no symptoms.

17. Myth: If you feel healthy, you don’t need TPT.

Fact: Latent TB is asymptomatic but can activate later.

18. Myth: TPT is unsafe and causes severe side effects.

Fact: TPT is safe for most people. Mild side effects like nausea or fatigue can occur, but severe side effects are rare.

HOW YOU CAN HELP FIGHT TB

To combat TB, we must share accurate facts to dismantle the myths that slow progress. Screening is important. Anyone with a cough or fever lasting more than two weeks should get tested early. Advocating for increased funding for TB programmes is also important, especially due to Nigeria’s high-risk status.

Finally, protecting yourself matters: good ventilation, masks in high-risk settings, and TPT (if eligible) can reduce the risk and stop the spread.

TB has haunted humanity for centuries, but it doesn’t have to define our future. On this World TB Day, let’s commit to understanding, preventing, and defeating TB together.