Tubercolosis becomes a worldwide problem, Armenians fail to turn to doctors

The number of tubercolosis (TB) patients is increasing worldwide. One thirds of the world’s population is diagnosed with TB or under the threat of contracting the disease.

The situation in Armenia is more or less consoling, with the number of detected patients being 44-45 per 100.000 inhabitants annually.

The death cases range between 4-5 patients per annum, according to Lubov Nikolayan, Associate Professor of Physiopulmology Chair at Yerevan State Medical University.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, she said TB cannot be considered purely a lung disease as it infects the entire organism.

“Spinal tuberculosis, causes a hunch on the spinal column, while female genital tuberculosis causes infertility in women,” the specialist mentioned, adding that the main symptoms of the disease are cough, sputum production and blood spitting.

Formerly the disease of the underprivileged, tuberculosis is no longer conditioned by social factors.

“Nowadays, the disease is mostly caused by contacts,” Lubov Nikolayan said.

She also noted that TB commonly occurs in young and employable males working abroad.

According to the specialist, patients seldom go to doctors, even though the treatment of tuberculosis is completely free of charge in Armenia.

“A TB patient must be isolated and decontaminated and his/her dishes must be kept in a separate area. All the items the patient has come in contact with must be exposed to direct sunrays which help kill the bacilli,” the doctor explained.