As far as Instagram influencers go, the name Radhika Jagtap is gaining widespread recognition. Whether reviewing homegrown products or conceptualizing Indian fusion wear, she covers it all for her devoted followers. However, few know about her inspiration for content creation; the now 25-year-old was diagnosed with extensively drug-resistant lung tuberculosis (XDR TB) in 2021, a rare condition where the bacteria become resistant to second-line TB medications. “In more ways than one, the treatment and recovery from lung TB were the most challenging phases of my life,” shares Jagtap.

Diagnosis of lung TB during COVID lockdown

A member of the Rotaract club, Jagtap believes that she contracted the infection during a grocery drive at a COVID-affected urban slum in September 2020. “While the whole nation was taking precautions to not contract COVID-19, it was unlikely for me to develop lung TB during that time. However, in October, I coughed up blood twice,” she says. Concerned, she consulted a friend who was practicing MBBS; she didn’t notify her parents, as doing so would create panic. “I went in for a chest X-ray, blood test and COVID test. The results didn’t provide any conclusive evidence that I had signs of lung TB,” she recalls.

Jagtap went to Nepal in December 2020, where things took a turn for the worse. “I was plagued with fever and night chills during the night, and my body almost gave up in exhaustion. I assumed it was due to the travel and weather change; the thought of TB never crossed my mind,” she notes.

Upon returning, Jagtap decided to go for another checkup in January 2021 due to her persistent fever. “I finally confessed to my family and physician that I had coughed blood. I underwent an X-ray, which detected that my lungs might be severely affected. A phlegm test along with a blood test confirmed the diagnosis of lung TB,” she shares.

Treatment for lung TB

Jagtap’s sputum samples were taken for a culture test so that doctors could figure out the appropriate medications for her. The bacteria were found to be resistant to the first line of medicines. She was then referred to Dr Prasad S Patil, a chest physician at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital, Thane. “After further culture tests and other investigations, we assumed she had stage II lung TB, which needed to be treated with drug-resistant TB medication,” says Dr Patil, adding that there were no instant improvements after she started taking the medicines; the bronchoscopy was still positive for TB.

He reassured Jagtap that it would take at least a couple of months for her to see improvement. “The recovery time depends on the individual; some might take two to three months to recover, while for others, it can extend up to 18 months,” he adds. However, further testing done after a certain period showed that the prescribed medications did not have any effect, and Jagtap was finally diagnosed with XDR TB (also known as stage III lung TB); she had to take 12 medicines every day for 18 months.

Side effects of medications

The condition took its toll on Jagtap over time. She lost her appetite, which resulted in acute weight loss. Her weight reduced from 40 to 34 kilos within the first month of her treatment, which was below the normal limit for someone aged 22. All this happened during the pandemic when her family faced financial turmoil due to losses incurred on their food catering venture; as a result, they had to shift from a 3 BHK house to a 1 BHK in Mumbai.

To add to the woes, her medications came with side effects. “My skin color changed, and I became a couple of shades darker. The drugs also meddled with my hormones, which led to depression; I had to be put on anti-depressants. Since lung TB is airborne, I wanted to protect my family. However, there was no spare room for me to isolate. I had to make some space in the balcony to rest,” she laments.

Content creation and recovery

Jagtap did not let the tedious recovery journey bog her down, finding solace in yoga and meditation. “I went through a lot of introspection. Instead of questioning why this had happened to me, I decided to pick myself up from the rut and focus on strengthening my mental and physical health,” she says.

She started creating content about TB awareness, documenting how it is to live with the condition. “Besides creating beauty and fashion content, I wanted to instill hope in people to stay positive,” she shares. The overwhelming support she received from her Instagram followers helped her regain her confidence.

It was important for Jagtap to look on the bright side amid all odds. “I would make an effort to dress well and put on a happy front during my checkups at the hospital; my doctor was appreciative of my positive outlook,” she shares. Speaking about the never-ending support of her family and friends, she adds, “My mother ensured that I was fed healthy and nutritious food every day, due to which I gained my weight back within a couple of months of treatment.” She stopped taking medication in 2022 and was declared completely free from lung TB in 2023. However, it took another 10–12 months for her to return to complete normalcy.

Stressing the importance of awareness about lung TB on a larger scale, Jagtap says that people should break the stigma associated with the condition. “Just as much curiosity people showed during COVID to understand the disease, TB must be talked about with the same intensity,” she notes, adding that sharing the struggles one faces during the infection will make them feel less alone.