(a) whether Tuberculosis has increased because of its association with HIV/AIDS; and
(b) if so, the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to control AIDS Generated Tuberculosis?
(a) whether Tuberculosis has increased because of its association with HIV/AIDS; and
(b) if so, the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to control AIDS Generated Tuberculosis?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) HIV/AIDS diminishes body resistance and therefore increases the risk of progression from TB infection to disease. Lifetime risk of developing TB increases from 5-10% in HIV negative cases, to 50% in HIV positive cases. However, at present there is no authentic data demonstrating that HIV has resulted in the increase of TB in the country.
(b) The treatment for both HIV infected TB patients and non-HIV infected TB patients is the same with the exception of the use of Thiacetzone. Instead of Thiacetzone, Ethombutol is being used in patients with known or suspected HIV infection or for high risk HIV persons suffering from TB. In all those States of the country where Sero-pravelence of HIV is estimated to be more than 1%, the use of Thiacetzone has already been stopped for treatment of TB patients under the National TB Control Programme. Similarly, in the rest of the areas where Thiacetzone is used, Ethambutol for HIV suspects is also given.
In addition, in RNTCP areas it is envisaged to provide TB services through the counseling centres for HIV, and active case detection is also proposed amongst HIV positive cases and their contacts as also training of TB worker in HIV and HIV-AIDS worker in TB, particularly in areas with high incidence of HIV infection.