MDR TB was imported by refugees from Thailand and was spread socially by human-to-human contact. This has forced immigration processes to become more strict and develop more testing to catch TB in it's earliest forms. I think everyone should keep the thought in the back of their mind, just to be safe. If people don't take their medication MDR TB could spread fast.
We should be worried because MDR TB is a global epidemic and is more complex and more difficult to treat. It's mortality rates are also higher and the treatment drugs are more expensive. Since MDR TB is a man-made illness due to lack of medication, I believe it has made treatment and management of other diseases more strict as well. If TB could become drug-resistant, then other diseases could as well.
MDR TB seems to be something that is in the back of peoples minds and probably needs to be in the forefront from what I gather from this posting. Just from the simple fact that its called a multi-drug resistant disease should raise some eyebrows. I like the fact that you try to make it a very serious issue because it is. Great post!
ReplyDeleteVery well written. I certainly hope that MDR TB does not be come resistant to drug treatment such as TB did.
ReplyDeleteMDR TB is very scary, just like other resistant strains of diseases. You included good backround info for the reader to understand where you were coming from. Well done!
ReplyDeleteMDR TB is definitely really scary and it's terrifying how many resistant strains of disease there are out there. This one is especially awful though not only because of the health issues it creates, but the social stigma around TB too. With a disease that is harder to eradicate, not only are these people suffering from the effects of the disease itself and it's toll on the body, but also the longer it takes for them to be healthy the longer it takes for them to be able to lead their normal lives again.
ReplyDeleteI wish people were responsible enough/understood (depending on the circumstance)that if they just take their medicine until they are supposed to stop (not just when they feel better!) they can stop the disease in it's tracks.
I wish I could say something insightful here but I agree with pretty much everything that has already been said here. When I hear of these cases/scenarios, it seems paradoxical how medical advancements can worsen a situation.
ReplyDeleteI now take "take as directed" very seriously...
That is a very good point that it TB could become drug resistant, than other diseases could too. That is a scary thought. I think that it is important that we do diagnose as soon as we can so that we can start treating diseases as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that MDR TB is an epidemic considering only 5% of TB cases are of the strain. Remember that TB is very prominent in the poor countries where medication is hard to access and living conditions are at a minimum. However it is still beneficial for us to keep in mind the affects it has, such as transferring its resistance on to other viral or bacterial infections.
ReplyDeleteI agree that people should be more aware and protect themselves as much as possible. I don't however believe that all diseases are going to create ways to get around the medications. New infections will form and new cures will come out but, when push comes to shove i like to think people are smarter than deseases. MDR TB won't get the best of everyone.
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