Table 1.
Comparison of TB and COVID-19.
| TB | COVID-19 | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is spread | Airborne | Droplet spread |
| How it is diagnosed | Sputum tests for those with cough. Other samples depending on symptoms and site of infection | Nasal & throat swabs and/or sputum tests |
| Pathogen | Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) |
| Size | 2–4 micrometres in length and 0.2–0.5 um in width | 65–125 nm in diameter |
| Infectiousness (R0) | 3.55–4.3 people infected per one person with TB | Currently average of 2.2 people infected per one person with COVID-19 |
| Prevalence (India) | 186.6 to 295.9/1 lakh population (2.2 million cases/year) | Approximately 94,000 active cases; Total cases 1,91,000 (as of June 1,2020) |
| Average daily cases (India) | 7370 | 1331 |
| Average deaths/day (India) | 1230 | 38 |
| Prevention | Prevention measures include TB preventive therapy for those with known contacts with TB and good respiratory hygiene measures | Social distancing, good respiratory hygiene measures and handwashing with soap for at least 20 seconds |
| Treatment | Antibiotics. Drug-sensitive TB for 6–12 months Drug resistant TB for 9–24months |
Supportive treatments currently. Many drug trials under way |
| Vaccine | BCG has some protective effects particularly for children | Trials ongoing |