admin
Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World TB Day on 24 March 2019. It is important that people get screened for TB and other diseases as well as get tested for HIV and know their status. Early detection saves lives.
This week we give you basic information on TB.
Basic facts about TB
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affects the lungs although other parts of the body such as the brain, heart and bones can be affected. It is spread from person to person through the air when people with TB cough, sneeze or spit.
The spread of TB infection is stimulated by poor ventilation. The infection can lie dormant for several months or years before progressing to active disease.
About one third of the world’s population has latent TB infection, which means they are not yet ill with the disease.
TB affects all people regardless of race, colour or creed and commonly manifests the following signs and symptoms:
Cough of any duration for those living with HIV and cough of a week or more in those who are HIV Negative
Fever and night sweats
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Chest pains
Certain groups of people are at higher risk of developing TB disease and include:
Miners and Ex-miners
People living with HIV
Diabetics
People with poor nutrition
People in congregate settings
Children under 5 years
The elderly
Screening, diagnosis and treatment for TB is provided free of charge at all public health institutions.
Once a person has been diagnosed with TB, it is important to complete the prescribed treatment duration (minimum 6 months,) without missing doses as treatment interruption may result in disease that is more difficult to treat; Drug Resistant TB. Treatment also ensures that infected persons do not continue spreading the infection.
Multi-drug resistant TB
Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most powerful anti-TB medicines.
It may result from not completing the first instance of TB treatment as prescribed but may also be spread from a person infected with MDR-TB through the air.
The country has adopted a shorter MDR-TB treatment regiment, which will be appropriate for the majority of patients undergoing TB treatment.
This will effectively reduce the minimum time required for MDR-TB treatment completion from the initial twenty to nine months.
Although MDR-TB is treatable and curable, interrupting treatment may result in a more severe form of drug resistant TB called extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB.)
We all have a part to play in the fight against Tuberculosis as leaders in our respective areas. Everyone needs to be screened for TB.
Together we can make history. It’s time to intensify the fight to end TB.
Online Reporter