COVID-19 and tuberculosis − a double trouble

The coronavirus pandemic has currently overtaken every other healthcare issue across the globe and even stole the limelight of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. The coronavirus disease disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in diagnostic confusion and many missed diagnoses of presumptive TB owing to the confounding symptoms. There is a diversion of material and manpower from the TB control programs and support systems resulting in an inevitable shift of focus toward COVID-19 and neglect of TB. This has badly impacted the active case finding, diagnosis, management, and follow-up of TB. Late diagnosis also leads to increased severity of the disease. We herein describe two such cases where severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis coexisted and discuss a whole realm of facts and ideas that need to be implemented to curb this complex coexistence. We highlight the importance of bidirectional screening for early diagnosis and prompt management and the importance of teleconsultation or telephonic follow-up in this COVID era.