World TB Day 2020

World TB Day Poster 2020.jpg

World Tuberculosis Day 2020

24 March 2020

Each year, we commemorate World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.

What is TB and where can I get treatment?

TB is an infectious but curable disease that is caused by a germ that attacks and damages the lungs. It can be easily passed to others through coughing or sneezing. TB usually infects the lungs but can also infect other parts of the body such as the brain, heart, kidneys, abdomen, larynx, bones, lymph nodes and spine.

You can get free testing at your nearest clinic. Testing for adults is done by taking two sputum samples and the results are normally available after two to three days.
Testing for children is done using skin tests and chest X-rays.

TB treatment is free at clinics. It is important to remember that TB can only be cured if the full course of treatment, which can be from six to eight months, is completed.

The Signs and Symptoms of TB includes:

  • A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks

  • Chest pain

  • Coughing up blood

  • Feeling tired all the time

  • Night sweats

  • Chills

  • Fever

  • Loss of appetite

  • Weight loss

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor to get tested. Get medical help right away if you have chest pain.

Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2020/03/24/default-calendar/world-tuberculosis-day-2020

https://www.gov.za/faq/health/what-tb-and-where-can-i-get-treatment

https://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-tuberculosis-basics#1

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