The Problem of Tuberculosis: Myths, Stigma, and Mimics

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public healthPublic health problem. TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosisMycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). Although the most common organ infected are the lungsLung, it can infect all body tissuesTissue and organs. As per World Health Organization (WHO) data from 2018, M. tb infected ten million people and was the cause of mortalityMortality for about 1.5 million people worldwide. It is often termed the “disease of the poorDiseasedisease of the poor,” and low-income nationsNation bear a significant disease burden. The disease burden is greatly compounded by rampant misconceptionsMisconception and significant stigmaStigma associated with this entity. These factors, in addition to TB’s notorious role as the “second great imitatorSecond great imitator”–for frequently mimicking or masquerading a variety of infectious and non-infectious medical conditions–may contribute to delays in care-seeking, diagnosis, managementManagement, and adherenceAdherence to the therapeutic regimen. Herein, we dispel commonly held mythsMyth, discuss the stigmaStigma linked with the disease and its psychosocial consequences, and delve into the many mimicsMimic that complicate the evaluation of TB. Ultimately, our goal is that this discussion may enable individuals, communitiesCommunity, and systems to impart improved care for patients with TB worldwide.