March is known as the month of Tuberculosis (TB) in the South African health calendar and during this time, locals are urged to get tested or to know more about this illness.
TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium and as a result the bacteria normally attacks the lungs.
The bacteria however, can also attack any other part of the body and if not treated properly it can be fatal.
This illness spreads through the air from person to person when one coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings.
It does not spread when you shake someone’s hand, share food or drinks, use the same bedding or toilet.
TB symptoms include having a bad cough that last for three weeks or more, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum, weakness, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever and night sweats.
If you have these symptoms you are urged to seek medical help immediately as TB can be treated.
After being diagnosed with TB, usually you will need to take treatment for six months and during this time, it is important to finish the medication given to you and as prescribed.
If you stop taking the medication it is possible that you may become sick again and resistant to the drugs given to you.
