Smoking increases the risk of tuberculosis

A recent study in Taiwan found that smokers are twice as likely to develop tuberculosis than non-smokers.

Researchers track nearly 18,000 Taiwanese over a period of more than three years. The head of the study, Mr. Hsien-Ho Lin, partner of Brigham Hospital and Boston Women's Hospital, said: ' We find that smokers are twice as likely to get TB. compared to non-smokers '.

In the world, one in three people is infected with tuberculosis but up to 90% of them are asymptomatic, the remaining 10% will develop symptomatic tuberculosis, if not treated promptly leading to death.

(Photo: uoguelph.ca)

Tuberculosis will weaken the body's immune system. Many people with HIV / AISD have died of tuberculosis.

Of the 17,699 people involved in the study, 3,893 people were smoking, 522 people quit smoking and 13,254 people never smoked. There were 57 more cases of tuberculosis developing into disease when the study ended.

After analyzing the relevant factors such as gender, age, habitat, marital status, use of alcoholic beverages, work status ., researchers found that smoking remains the main cause of the development of tuberculosis.

Experts write: ' Based on the analysis results, 17% of people with tuberculosis are smoking. People who smoke regularly will reduce their ability to fight off viruses and bacteria that enter the lungs, like tuberculosis . '

Mr. Lin said: ' Based on our research and other studies, policy makers and public health practitioners should consider tobacco management as a means to control disease. TB '.

Tuberculosis is still the main cause of mortality in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2050, there will be a reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis and one case of over one million people.