March 24 is World Tuberculosis Day. Tuberculosis is a dangerous disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which now affects many people in developing countries. It is found mainly in the lungs, but also in other parts of the body. It is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the sputum of an affected individual. The disease has existed since ancient times. It is a very insidious disease; sometimes sufferers don't even show symptoms, while the disease wreaks havoc within the body. Common symptoms of tuberculosis are fever, especially at night; a cough that lasts for more than three weeks and blood in the sputum; chills and chills; loss of appetite and weight loss. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Because of this drastic weight loss, tuberculosis was also known as consumption in the past, as the disease “consumes” an individual. It also soon gained the reputation of "writer's disease" because many 18th and 19th century writers led solitary lives in their homes and had low immune defenses. Lack of vitamin D also makes the individual susceptible to tuberculosis. Writers such as Franz Kafka, Henry David Thoreau and George Orwell all died of tuberculosis. Many writers and poets often wrote about their illness. One of the common practices in treating tuberculosis was to send patients to sanatoriums, places with fresh air, away from cities. Indeed, in colonial India, hill stations were built to house sanatoriums and summer residences for British officials. The clean mountain air helped many patients recover. Today, tuberculosis treatment is carried out through a variety of drugs. Many different types of drugs are given together to target how bacteria synthesize and reproduce. However, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis are very resistant and very easily develop drug resistance, which is why it is important for patients to continue taking their medications regularly. Unfortunately, many patients stop taking the drugs, as some of their side effects are very serious. It is for this reason that tuberculosis continues to persist. In many countries, tuberculosis treatment requires DoT, or directly observed treatment, in which health workers ensure that patients take their medications. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Unlike in the 18th and 19th centuries, tuberculosis no longer remains romanticized as a consumption for writers. It is a partially preventable disease, so make sure your child receives the BCG vaccine. Get plenty of fresh air and sunlight, as well as a healthy diet. If 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 is important to pay attention to our body and what it is trying to tell us.