Mumbai: Although the screening of every new tuberculosis (TB) patient is diagnosed for covid, the level of TB-Covid co-infection remains below 1% in Maharashtra.
The latest report of the State Health Department said 709 of 1.36 lakh patients with the underlying TB – experienced a compulsory Covid screening between January-September – was tested positive for Coronavirus, making the state TB-Covid CO-infection rate of 0.5%.
The co-infection level is very low compared to the level of covid infection among the general population, which is at least up to 3%.
Experts emphasize extensive studies to measure the exact vulnerability of TB patients by expanding the diagnosis of Covid.
At present, TB patients are filtered only for Covid.
Although chronic TB, the status of Covid infection is not arrested regularly unless the patient shows a deteriorating symptom, the experts are underlined.
“When chronic TB, filtering the patient only once will lead to misleading images.
A TB patient must be evaluated for Covid during TB treatment when he shows symptoms.
Free covid testing must be carried out at least once in two to three months depending on viral transmission activities in the community At that time, “said Health Activist and Medical Practitioner Sanjay Dabhadhe.
The government must prioritize Covid filtering among TB patients in terms of increasing coverage, quality screening, supervision and monitoring, he added.
Experts attract attention to ensure covid screening is obligatory among TB patients who seek care from private medical practitioners.
“Covid filtering norms must be implemented in state and civilian health centers / TB units, but it is not clear whether private doctors follow the norm,” said a state health official.
“The number shows the co-infection is not uncommon.
One must be very careful not to miss the coexistence of this disease,” said Doctor Mahavir Modi.