TUBERCULOSIS

What is TB?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs and is mainly acquired by the inhalation of infectious droplets. Infectious droplets can be produced by coughing, sneezing, talking, and singing. However, Tuberculosis is curable and preventable.

What is the TB picture globally? In the Philippines?

Every year, around the world 8.6 million people are diagnosed with TB, and 1.3 million die of the disease. This is mainly because they cannot get the drugs that would make them better. Sadly TB is the 6th leading cause of death in the Philippines, with about 70 Filipinos dying every day due to TB. Around 500,000 Filipinos have active TB.

The most common symptoms of TB are:

  • a cough for three weeks or longer
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • high temperature or fever
  • night sweats
  • extreme tiredness or lack of energy

Donot ignore TB symptoms… seek medical advice… strictly observe doctor’s orders…

What parts of the body are affected by TB?

TB in the lungs or throat (pulmonary TB) are the only forms of the illness that are infectious, which means it can be passed on to other people. However, TB can also affect any other part of the body, including kidneys, brain or bones. This is called non-pulmonary TB – and is not infectious.

How is TBspread?

When someone with TB in their lungs or throat coughs or sneezes, they send droplets into the air that contain the TB bacteria. If you breathe in these bacteria over a long time you may become ill with TB. But most people won’t get ill because:

  • you normally need to spend many hours close to a person with infectious TB to breathe in enough bacteria tobe at risk
  • most people’s immune systems are strong enough to kill off TBbacteria.

TB cannot be spread through touch, sharing cutlery, bedding or clothes.

How can I ensure that I do not get TB, or have it treated immediately?

Knowing that you are not infected with the TB bacilli would be first and foremost. An x-ray helps in identifying cases of TB.

How do I get treatment?

If you have a cough that won’t go away or other TB symptoms, go and see a doctor and ask to be tested for TB.Early diagnosis means there is less chance of long-term damage to your body, makes it easier to treat and reduces the risk of other people catching TB from you.

Take care of your health, and your health will take care of you…

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