Tuberculosis (TB) causes thousands of deaths in South Africa and abroad each year. The month of March is dedicated to raising TB awareness, culminating on March 24 when World TB Day is observed across the globe. In a weekly series, the Berea Mail will publish articles to raise awareness about TB. In this article, we visit Overport Clinic to find out more about TB treatment and taboos.
COMMONLY associated with HIV or drummed up as a multi-drug resistant disease, TB is often a topic of fear and speculation.
While HIV patients are more vulnerable to TB, Overport Clinic manager, Jabulani Khumalo said TB is an airborne disease that anyone can catch.
“TB is regarded as an opportunistic infection and an HIV-positive patient is at risk because TB attacks patients with a low immune system. When a patient is HIV positive, we worry about their TB status,” said Khumalo.
The Overport Clinic hosted a TB awareness day on Friday, March 4. Khumalo said 60 people were tested for TB on the day and 20 patients were referred for X-rays at King George Hospital. As a highly infectious disease, special care is taken in treating TB.
“Because TB attacks patients with low immunity, TB patients who are infectious will be treated for two weeks in isolation before being allowed to mix with chronic patients,” said Khumalo.
Pulmonary TB, which occurs in the lungs, is treated in two phases.
“There is the intensive phase which runs for a minimum of two months. Then there is a continuous phase that runs over a period of four months. All together TB treatment is taken for six months,” said Khumalo.
However, in extra-pulmonary cases, where TB spreads beyond the lungs, treatment is extended.
“Those cases take up to nine months or more to treat and are managed at hospital level. Some patients may also be infected with Covid-19 or HIV,” he said.
ALSO READ: TB awareness month: Treating homeless patients
Racial prejudice
More than 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries where nutritional requirements are scarcely met. Locally, this has contributed to myths about who is affected by TB.
“Some people believe TB only affects a certain race. Some people think they won’t get TB, forgetting that it’s an airborne disease. Most patients with TB come from areas of low economic status where there is poor nutrition, but TB can attack anyone, even those with the best nutrition, ”said Khumalo.
Tackling taboos during treatment
TB awareness campaigns are vital in equipping community members to dispel taboos, identify TB, and seek treatment.
“In some cultures, people associated TB with witchcraft. That is why we host awareness days to educate the community. We explain that they are not sick because of witchcraft, it is a disease that is spread in the air,” said Khumalo.
Education is also vital to prepare TB patients on what to expect during treatment.
“It’s extremely important to explain the treatment process to the patient, as well as the importance of nutrition and the side effects the patient should expect,” he said.
Nurses at Overport Clinic also ensure that a TB patient lists a traceable address where clinic staff can deliver medication if a patient misses an appointment. While most TB patients visit the clinic for treatment, Khumalo said they offer a mobile service to patients in Overport, Morningside, Glenwood, Glenmore, and Musgrave.
ALSO READ: TB awareness month: Treating homeless patients
Multi-drug resistant TB
Khumalo said two tests are used at Overport Clinic to detect TB – a microscopy test and a Gene Expect test.
“Gene expect is used to diagnose TB. It tells the clinician whether the patient will respond to the drugs available. If Gene Xpect shows that the patient will be resistant, then we know we are not able to use the first line of treatment and the patient will be referred to the hospital. These patients have contracted XDR TB because they were exposed to TB drugs before but did not complete the course. In that case, the patient is highly infectious and needs to be observed by a doctor at hospital level,” he said.
While XDR is highly infectious, it is not as easily spread as Covid-19, said Khumalo.
The clinic is located at 472 Ridge Road. Call 031 322 8988.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
