Knowing more about Tuberculosis
Kwatsaduza - TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is an illness that mainly affects the lungs but can also be found in any other parts of the body.
According to Sr Duduzile Chaza from the Pholosong Hospital, signs and symptoms of TB infection include a persistent cough for two days or longer, night sweats even in cold weather, weight loss, loss of appetite, tiredness or weakness of the body and coughing up blood when in the advanced stages of the infection.
HIV/Aids destroys the body’s immune system, and TB is a highly and opportunistic disease that occurs when the body’s immune system and resistance are low.
HIV-positive people are therefore very vulnerable to TB, so those who show symptoms of TB or suspect they may have TB should go to any public health facility to have a thorough examination and be diagnosed appropriately.
If they are infected with TB they can be cured by receiving the correct medication and completing the course of treatment they are prescribed.
Chaza adds that a TB sufferer who is not on treatment can release germs into the air by coughing, sneezing or spitting, and other people who inhale these germs are then infected.
“The disease will manifest itself if the immune system is weakened through stress, cancer, old age, poor diet, diabetes, HIV/Aids and substance abuse, especially excessive alcohol intake.
“There is a high risk of infection if you are exposed to TB suffers who are not on treatment, especially in enclosed environments, such as at home, in the workplace or even when travelling,” she says.
However, once the infected person takes TB medication, he or she cannot infect other people with the disease.
Important things to know about TB:
n To prevent the spread of TB, the infected person should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; wash their hands; let their family and friends know they have TB and are on treatment, so they can support them; eat healthy food and drink less alcohol; and complete the full course of treatment.
n TB testing and treatment is available free via the public health service and is curable, and there are a number of different tablets used to treat it.
n If you are diagnosed with TB, treatment should be started as soon as possible and the medication has to be taken every day for at least six months (in some cases it may take longer).
n It is very important that you finish your course of treatment.
n Hospitalisation may not be necessary, as this depends on the signs and symptoms the patient has. However, if the infection is advanced then the patient may have to be hospitalised.
