World TB Day 2022
Invest to end TB. Save lives.
24 March is World Tuberculosis Day, on this day we need to take this opportunity to realise what effect TB not only has on citizens worldwide, but especially on ourselves and our fellow South African citizens, as South Africa is one of the 30 high burden TB countries worldwide.
South Africa’s high TB infection rate is driven by multiple factors, but the most prevalent being, low socio-economic status and a high HIV co-infection burden, thus falling among the 14 countries with the highest burden of TB, TB/HIV, and multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB).
We need to remember that we are commemorating this day to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB and to urge those, with the capabilities to do so, to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
Each year a theme is given to represent World TB Day, with regards to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating effects, especially on people living with TB, it makes sense that this year’s theme is ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives.’
How to detect TB:
Health workers have four main tools at their disposal for detecting TB in patients:
· Clinical symptoms
· Tuberculin testing
· X-ray of the chest
· Sputum smear microscopy
TB is usually a disease which is associated with the lungs, but it is important to know that it can also affect other body parts. There is also distinction between the types of TB:
· Active TB. If the immune system cannot stop the TB bacteria from growing (multiplying in your body), it is defined as Active TB, thus resulting in TB disease. People with TB disease are physically sick and may also be able to spread the bacteria to people they interact with. It is extremely important for people with Active TB to receive treatment to manage the TB disease.
· Latent TB. If a person comes in contact with TB bacteria, most commonly by breathing in the bacteria, it is possible that the TB bacteria can remain asleep in your body, this is called Latent TB. Persons with Latent TB don’t become sick and cannot pass the TB bacteria to others.
You may have TB if:
· You are experiencing a common cough, where mucus is increasing
· You are coughing up blood
· You have a fever
· Your appetite has vanished
· You lost weight
· You are experiencing night sweats
· You have a constant pain in your chest
· You are experiencing extreme fatigue
· You get the chills on a regular basis
It is of the utmost importance to visit a medical professional, if you feel that you may have the risk of having TB disease, the sooner you receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can the treat the disease. Remember, TB is a preventable and curable disease, and the longer you wait the greater the disease severity becomes.
The reality of TB in South Africa
It is a fact that HIV sufferers have a higher risk of contracting TB and a greater chance of dying. HIV infection plays a key role in the TB epidemic. Unfortunately, around 1.8% of new cases of TB in South Africa are multi-drug resistant.
“South Africa is one of the 30 high burden tuberculosis countries worldwide”
Let us take action to prevent the spread of the TB epidemic.
If you or a loved one are diagnosed with an illness, feel free to contact us for counselling and support.
0861 776 227
Emergency helpline 082 33 22 356
admin@procare.co.za