Get To Know The Facts About TB

The TB Disease was once the leading cause of deaths in the United States.  In the 1940s, scientists discovered the first of several drugs now used to treat TB. As a result, TB slowly began to disappear in the United States, but has since come back. After 1984, the number of TB cases reported in the United States began to increase. More than 25,000 cases were reported in 1993. But since then the number has steadily declined to about 14,500 cases in 2004.

What exactly is TB?

TB is caused by a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a disease that mainly affects the lungs, but can be found in any other part of the body. The disease is preventable and curable.

The disease is spread from person to person. When a person who has TB coughs, sneezes or spits. TB germs are spread in the air and breathed in by other people, especially when living in poorly ventilated, overcrowded rooms. Fortunately, not all those who breathe in TB germs become ill with TB. In most cases the germs are sealed off in the body and they do not multiply. However, if the body’s immune system is unable to control the TB germs, the germs become active and the person therefore becomes ill with TB.

Chances of developing TB are increased when the body’s immune system is lowered because of things such as:

• HIV/AIDS
• Lack of proper food
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Stress
• Cancer
• Diabetes

The germs are present in the sputum coughed up by those that have TB of the lungs. As the body tries to fight the germs, holes can develop in the lungs, resulting in the person feeling tired and having difficulty with breathing. Blood may be coughed up. If not treated, TB may spread to ten new people every year and even be fatal.

Watch out for the following signs and symptoms of TB?

• A cough for longer than two weeks
• Producing phlegm when you cough
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Coughing up blood
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness and weakness of the body
• Chest pains

TB in parts of the body other than the lungs may result in pain wherever the TB is located. If you have been coughing for more than two weeks and have any of these symptoms, please visit your nearest clinic or doctor as soon as possible to have a TB sputum test.

• Any of the above symptoms may be an indication of the disease.
• TB is usually diagnosed by testing the spit (sputum) at a laboratory. If the TB germs are found in the sputum then the person has TB.
• In children who cannot produce spit a skin test can be done by a nurse or doctor to show if the child may have TB.
• X-rays may show changes in the lungs.

Young children under the age of five are more at risk of picking up TB from adults, therefore all children under 5 years who have been in close contact with an adult who has TB must report to a doctor. The doctor will examine the child to see if the child needs to receive any treatment. If the child does not have TB, tablets will be given to the child to prevent TB from developing.

What will happen if I have TB?

If you are diagnosed with TB, you can receive treatment, TB is curable.

Treatment should:

• Start as soon as possible.
• Be taken once a day, Monday – Sunday for 6 months.
• If you have been treated for TB before, treatment is 8 months. You will also have to take tablets once a day for 8 months, as well as have a daily injection for 2 months, Monday to Friday.
• For some forms of TB the treatment is 18 months.

If TB medicines are stopped too soon you may get sick again and it will be more difficult to treat you again, the TB germs often become stronger and you may develop drug resistant TB which is difficult to treat. Drug resistant TB is more likely to cause death.

How can you the TB patient help prevent the spread of TB?

• By covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
• Open all windows and doors of your home so as to allow the fresh air to flow through.
• Let your family and friends know that you have TB and that you are on treatment.
• Complete your full course of treatment.
• Try and eat healthy foods and drink less alcohol, preferably none.
• Attend awareness programs in your area to get more information on health issues.

What about HIV and TB?

HIV damages the immune system therefore those that are HIV positive have a one in ten (10%) chance of contracting TB every year. HIV negative people have a 10% chance of getting TB in their whole lifetime. TB treatment is the same for HIV positive and HIV negative people.

If you have TB and are HIV positive Cotrimoxazole (Bactrim) tablets will be added to lower your chances of picking up other infections. A vitamin supplement will also be given. A blood test will be administered to check the immune system (CD4 count). If your CD4 count is below 200, you will be referred for anti retroviral treatment.

• Go to your nearest clinic or doctor if you have been coughing for more than two weeks.
• Ask your friends and family members who have been coughing to go for a TB test.
• Stop smoking as it is damaging to your lungs.
• Try and eat better by having meat, fish, eggs, beans, milk, brown bread, and plenty of vegetables and fruit.
• Drink less alcohol.
• Get more exercise even if it’s just a walk to the corner and back.
• Try and reduce stress in your life.