New Delhi (NVI): The Union Health Ministry has issued a guidance note stating that the COVID screening for all diagnosed Tuberculosis (TB) patients and TB screening for all COVID-19 positive patients should be conducted.
“Tuberculosis is associated with a 2.1-fold increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease. In addition, TB patients also tend to have co-morbid or living conditions (malnutrition, diabetes, smoking, HIV etc) that increase their vulnerability,” the guidance note said.
It further added that prevalence of tuberculosis among COVID-19 patients has been found to be 0.37–4.47 per cent, according to different studies.
“There has been an overall decline in tuberculosis notification by 26 per cent during January to June this year as compared to the previous year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.
Meanwhile, the guidance note suggested Bi-directional TB-COVID screening to address dual morbidity of Tuberculosis and COVID-19, tuberculosis analysis of all influenza-like illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases has also been advised.
The guidance note stated that both Tuberculosis and COVID-19 are infectious diseases which primarily attack the lungs. “They present with similar symptoms of cough, fever and difficulty breathing, although TB has a longer incubation period and a slower onset of disease,” it added.
Whereas, for COVID-19 screening, the ministry has advised that all newly diagnosed TB patients or those currently on treatment should be tested for coronavirus.
“Based on the result of COVID-19 test, further management would be undertaken as per the ministry guidelines. Even upon diagnosis of COVID, treatment of TB should continue uninterrupted,” the note added.
-RJV
