March 24 is World Tuberculosis Day. Tuberculosis is a dangerous disease caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which affects many people in developing countries today. It is mainly found in the lungs, but also in other parts of the body. It is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the sputum of an affected person. The disease has existed since ancient times. It is a very insidious disease; Sometimes patients don't even show any symptoms, while the disease wreaks havoc inside the body. Common symptoms of tuberculosis are fever, especially at night; a cough that lasts more than three weeks and blood in the sputum; chills and shivers; loss of appetite and weight loss. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why violent video games should not be banned'? Get the original essay Due to this drastic weight loss, tuberculosis was also known as consumption, as the disease "consumes" a individual. It also quickly gained the reputation as the "writer's disease" due to the fact that many writers in the 18th and 19th centuries led reclusive lives at home and had low immunity. Lack of vitamin D also makes the individual vulnerable to tuberculosis. Writers like Franz Kafka, Henry David Thoreau and George Orwell all died of tuberculosis. Many writers and poets have often written about their illness. A common practice in treating tuberculosis was to send patients to sanatoriums, places with fresh air, far from cities. In fact, in colonial India, hill stations were built to accommodate sanatoriums and summer residences for British officials. The clean mountain air has helped many patients recover. Today, treatment for tuberculosis relies on a variety of medications. Many different types of drugs are given together to target how bacteria synthesize and reproduce. However, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis are very resilient and develop drug resistance very easily. This is why it remains important that patients take their medications regularly. Unfortunately, many patients stop taking their medications because some of their side effects are very serious. This is why tuberculosis continues to persist. In many countries, treatment of tuberculosis requires DoT, or directly observed treatment, in which health service workers ensure that patients take their medications. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Unlike the 18th In the 19th century, tuberculosis no longer remained romanticized as a consumption for writers. This is a partially preventable disease, so make sure your child gets the BCG vaccine. Get plenty of fresh air and sunshine, as well as a healthy diet. If the cough persists for more than three weeks, consult a doctor. Governments should ban spitting in public places, as infected sputum is a surefire way to get sick. It's important to pay attention to our body and what it's trying to tell us..