Bird Flu? We should be worrying about Coughing to Death

A recent article in the Washington Post highlights a new TB epidemic. TB is only fully treated if a patient undergoes the full series of drugs, and in Russia and Africa, doctors are noticing a trend that may illuminate a new completely drug resistant strain. Many TB sufferers in Russia are homeless and that contributes to their inability to take all of the drug regime, but if they stop mid-cycle, they are letting the virus build up an immunity to the drugs. In Russia they are considering court ordered isolation for these carriers to limit the spread of TB to the rest of the population. Considering it can be spread via coughing, spitting or talking, it's easy to spread around. This is frightening - a quote from one of the drug resistant TB sufferers.

Daniels, for instance, was often homeless when he was in Russia, according to him and his wife, Alla Danielova, an English teacher. Daniels said he bounced among friends' houses, partying and trying to ignore the bloody sputum he was coughing up. "I knew I was going to have to treat it, but I had other plans at that time," he said. "I didn't think it was a big deal. Now I know better."

While his attitude is something that many of us can relate to, the impact this type of attitude and/or lack of education might have on global heath is chilling.