Tuberculosis is a contagious infection that primarily attacks the lungs. However, it can spread to other body parts like the brain and spine. The bacteria that is responsible for tuberculosis is known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Symptoms of the disease take time to develop and mainly includes breathlessness, severe chest pain, continuous coughing. Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever etc.  Patients who are unlikely to show any symptoms are supposed to have ‘latent tuberculosis. But the situation can get severe and a patient might develop symptoms in the later stage if the immune system is weak. Depending upon the infection, treatment varies. So does the duration of the treatment. It might vary from 9 months for latent tuberculosis to 30 months for drug-resistant tuberculosis. Much notable research has been done in the treatment of tuberculosis during recent times. And tuberculosis vaccine is the outcome of one of the researches. In a high-risk country, the use of the TB vaccines called bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is widespread whereas, in other countries, these are scarcely available. Being one kind of chest disease that might lead to respiratory failure if left untreated, it requires an immediate need of treatment. Other common chest diseases include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, influenza. Lung cancer etc.

Diploma in tuberculosis and chest diseases is a thoroughly guided and highly supervised course. The purpose of the course is to provide intensive didactic knowledge and practical training in this field of medicine. It is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in the speciality of the chest diseases medical system. The course is designed to equip the students in all aspects of chest diseases along with its allies subspecialties of the science of pulmonary medicine, preventive aspect of tuberculosis, advancement in pulmonary medicine, diagnostic procedures, mycobacterial disease of lungs, hypoventilation syndrome, obstructive disease of the lungs, extrapulmonary diseases and many others. With the growing number of complications in the cases, it has become important to specialise the students in the basic principles of chest diseases so that they can render their consultative service too. It is expected that during the course the students will gain proficiency in many aspects of medicinal science and will be able to cater to the needs of the patient in alliance with the national health policy and professional ethical practices. The curriculum is designed in such a manner that it demands participation in research work, seminars, journal clubs, case presentations and discussions, viva, grand round presentations and practical exposure of the first-hand knowledge and concepts of teachings. The curriculum also provides additional competency in medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning, soft skills, organisational and managerial skills. Overall, the course prepares the students for a highly skilled job through both intensive didactic lectures and practical training in all facets of chest diseases.

The course can be taken by the candidates who have completed the 10+2 with science as a primary subject. The length of the course is 2 years. A career in this field is very promising as one can seek employment in sectors like government hospitals, private clinics, research centre, pharmaceutical lab, military hospitals, medical universities and many more. The job roles offered are health consultant, medical officer, researcher, specialist doctor, epidemiologist and many others. If one wants to enrich one’s understanding of this field, an option of further studies is always open.