<p>Karnataka, during its campaign for finding Tuberculosis (TB) cases (August 16-31) among recovered Covid individuals (who recovered between January 1 and June 31) and their household contacts has identified 155 TB cases till August 29.</p>.<p>TB was diagnosed in 104 recovered Covid patients and 51 of their household contacts.</p>.<p>The health department may continue the drive after August 31 to cover the rest of the Covid-recovered individuals, but the coverage was a mere 31% till August 29. </p>.<p>During this period, peripheral health workers visited the houses of recovered Covid individuals and asked for TB-specific symptoms. If found symptomatic, sputum samples were collected. The samples were tested in TB PCR labs (Truenat) in all districts of Karnataka.</p>.<p>Covid-19 and TB are respiratory diseases that manifest themselves with similar symptoms of cough, fever and difficulty in breathing.</p>.<p>Studies suggest that the presence or history of TB increases the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and TB co-infection increases the risk of severe Covid-19 disease.</p>.<p>TB/SARS CoV-2 co-infection is associated with rapid and severe symptom development and disease progression, with poor outcomes for both diseases.</p>.<p>Both diseases require early detection and treatment to improve patient outcomes and reduce transmission among contacts and within communities.</p>
<p>Karnataka, during its campaign for finding Tuberculosis (TB) cases (August 16-31) among recovered Covid individuals (who recovered between January 1 and June 31) and their household contacts has identified 155 TB cases till August 29.</p>.<p>TB was diagnosed in 104 recovered Covid patients and 51 of their household contacts.</p>.<p>The health department may continue the drive after August 31 to cover the rest of the Covid-recovered individuals, but the coverage was a mere 31% till August 29. </p>.<p>During this period, peripheral health workers visited the houses of recovered Covid individuals and asked for TB-specific symptoms. If found symptomatic, sputum samples were collected. The samples were tested in TB PCR labs (Truenat) in all districts of Karnataka.</p>.<p>Covid-19 and TB are respiratory diseases that manifest themselves with similar symptoms of cough, fever and difficulty in breathing.</p>.<p>Studies suggest that the presence or history of TB increases the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and TB co-infection increases the risk of severe Covid-19 disease.</p>.<p>TB/SARS CoV-2 co-infection is associated with rapid and severe symptom development and disease progression, with poor outcomes for both diseases.</p>.<p>Both diseases require early detection and treatment to improve patient outcomes and reduce transmission among contacts and within communities.</p>
