Taking a stand this World TB Day

Siraaj Adams from Metropolitan Health.

Last year Tuberculosis (TB) was reported as the leading killer in South Africa. With many South Africans living in overcrowded and poorly ventilated homes, it is no wonder that this deadly disease, which is spread through the air from one person to the next, is considered a national epidemic.

In light of World TB Day (24 March), a day that aims to create awareness and education around TB, Siraaj Adams from Metropolitan Health provides advice on how to prevent and manage this disease.

First step – vaccinate: It starts with vaccination. In South Africa, the BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) Vaccination is available and should be administered to newborn babies to help protect them against this disease. While this is a good start – this vaccination only offers partial protection and should not be considered a foolproof solution in preventing TB.

It starts with you: We are able to strengthen our immune systems through leading a healthy lifestyle, as TB is a disease that targets those with weakened immune systems. HIV patients and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate rest and good personal hygiene can ensure that your immune system is best equipped to ward off the disease.

A simple sneeze can spread the disease: Given that TB is transmitted from person to person through the air, it spreads rapidly in confined spaces. Make sure your home is properly ventilated to reduce your risk of coming into contact with the disease.

Knowledge is power: Know the symptoms. The earlier you are able to diagnose this disease, the earlier you can start treatment – which is important in preventing further spread of the infection and deterioration. The symptoms to look out for are: a persistent cough and coughing up blood, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite and weight loss, weakness and chest pain.

Be conscious of others: If you have been diagnosed with TB avoid spreading it further. Stay home, avoid contact with others and wear a surgical mask in the first three weeks of treatment, while the disease is still contagious. Always use a tissue when you sneeze, cough or laugh – and discard the dirty tissue in a sealed bag when you’re finished with it.

Stick to the programme: TB treatment can be a lengthy and intensive procedure ranging from six months to two years, and may result in side effects such as nausea and dizziness. In spite of this, it is important that you stick to the complete treatment programme to make a full recovery. The treatment course should be completed even if your symptoms have disappeared – stopping midway through medication or skipping doses may result in the TB bacteria developing resistance to a number of drugs. Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) is much more difficult to treat, and can be fatal.