Use of mask may lead to drop in TB cases: GMC expert

Use of mask may lead to drop in TB cases: GMC expert

Bindiya.Chari@timesgroup.com

Panaji:29.11.2020

Goa Medical College’s (GMC) head of pulmonary medicine, Dr Durga Lawande, said on Saturday that the widespread use of masks across the state may contribute to drop in tuberculosis (TB) infections.

Goa registers around 800-1,000 TB infections annually, and a person with the disease can potentially infect 15 new people. “A positive case, if using a mask, won’t be able to infect people,” she said, adding, “The decline, however, will not be evident immediately if there is any (drop), but at a later stage.”

During the initial months of the pandemic, she said they had seen a reduction in cases as patients were unable to access medical help due to restrictions in place. But now, regular as well as new patients have started attending out-patient department (OPD) services.

Apart from this, there hasn’t been a reduction in cases. She, however, said that over the years, there has been an overall drop in TB infections in the state, thanks to the government of India’s control programmes.

Lawande pointed out that with a decline in cases of HIV/AIDS in Goa, they have also seen a drop in the number of people with HIV-contracting tuberculosis, which is considered an opportunistic infection for them (along with other infections).

“HIV itself has been on a decline due to awareness about the disease all over the country,” Lawande said. “Precautionary measures are being taken and treatment has been better. With antiretroviral therapy , patients are doing very well. Most people would earlier die within 8-10 years, but now they can live for twenty years with proper care.”

Goa has reported a 62% drop in AIDS deaths in 2019, with 13 deaths. In 2018, 21 people lost their lives to AIDS.

Goa registers around 800-1,000 TB infections annually, and a person with the disease can potentially infect 15 new people