Vryheid Hospice nurse discusses the stigma that comes with having TB

UNTIL recently, those who were afflicted with Tuberculosis in Vryheid and surrounding areas were treated by Vryheid Hospice.

Sadly, due to the lack of funding, as well as the termination of US Aid that played a major role in keeping the nonprofit organisation afloat, Hospice has had to cease with the treatment of TB patients, following the retrenchment of eight nurses and the financial predicament they have recently found themselves in.

The funds may have dried up for TB treatment at Vryheid Hospice. The knowledge, however, has not.

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Cecilia van Wyk took some time to chat to us about the ins and outs of Tuberculosis and the treatment thereof, despite the organisation’s current position, having dealt with this infectious illness on a daily basis for approximately six years at Hospice.

“The saddest thing is,” she explains, “while TB is known as the leading cause of death in South Africa, it is actually one hundred percent curable…”

“At Vryheid Hospice, we mainly treated the Multi Drug Resistant strain of TB (MDR). However, one of the challenges that arose was when patients were not disciplined with their medication. If you are not strict about your treatment regime, MDR develops into XDR, Extreme or Extensively Drug Resistant TB, which is resistant to most of the TB treatment drugs available.”

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“There is a stigma attached to this disease,” she elaborates. “Often, those who are afflicted by TB are shunned by their family and friends. This is unfortunate, as the disease is treatable and, with the right treatment, can become non-infectious. If you stay on the medication and take it the way you should, there is no reason you should not be able to have a normal life…”

So, Tuberculosis is not only curable, but preventable too?

“Yes,” explains Cecilia. “While the disease is spread mainly by coughing and sneezing, you can safeguard yourself against it by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A strong immune system will act as your first line of defence against TB. Be healthy,” she advises. “Cover your mouth and nose when travelling in public transport or when in confined public areas and distance yourself from those who are openly coughing or sneezing. Those who have a compromised immune system should totally avoid high density public places and crowds to ward off the risk of infection.”