Mon Mar 24 05:17:15 UTC 2025: ## World TB Day 2025 Highlights Urgency to End Tuberculosis
**New Delhi, [Date]** – World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, observed annually on March 24th, focused this year on the theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.” The day commemorates the 1882 discovery of the TB bacterium by Dr. Robert Koch, a milestone that paved the way for diagnosis and treatment. This year’s theme emphasizes the need for renewed commitment, increased investment, and swift action to eradicate this deadly infectious disease.
TB, a bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs, spreads through airborne droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or spitting. According to Dr. Sandeep Nayar, Principal Director and HOD of Chest and Respiratory Diseases at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, a cough lasting more than three weeks without apparent cause warrants a TB test.
Dr. Nayar highlighted key distinctions between a common cough and one indicative of TB. While a common cough is typically short-lived, a TB cough can persist for weeks, often producing thick, yellowish-green, or even blood-tinged phlegm. Furthermore, TB is frequently accompanied by other symptoms such as intermittent fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Early detection and intervention are crucial for successful treatment and preventing further spread.
The World Health Organization and global health organizations continue to stress the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to combat TB. Individuals experiencing persistent coughs or other symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
First Piper 