As the whole world has continue to battle and finding solution towards containing COVID-19 let not also shift attention away from other diseases like Tuberculosis Prevention. Every 24th March the whole world commemorates (marks) TB day. The day is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic (widespread) of TB and efforts to eliminate the disease Nigeria also joins in commemoration.
Data has shown the prevalence of TB in low and middle-income countries including Nigeria. So it would not be a bad idea to talk reality Tuberculosis Prevention today on this segment. Thankfully it is not like COVID-19 which the WHO has now declared pandemic (prevalent all over the world). Hearing the name alone can make someone cringe because there is this belief that people who are infected with HIV are more susceptible (prone) to TB. Well this could true. “People who are infected with HIV are 19 times more likely to develop active TB” according to WHO
What is Tuberculosis? TB is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs. Research has shown that TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs as well as any organ in the body. When a person breathes in TB bacteria, the bacteria can settle in the lungs and begin to grow. From there, they can move through the blood to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain. “It can develop when bacteria spread through droplets in the air.” TB can be fatal, but it is also “curable and preventable” says WHO.
Who is at risk? Tuberculosis mostly affects adults in their most productive years. But all ages is at risk. Be sure to feed your child with balanced diet as people with undernutrition are 3 times more at risk. As of 2018 about 2.3 million new TB cases were attributed to undernutrition globally. Adult who are addicted to smoking and alcohol also stand a chance to increase their risk of TB disease. “A person with HIV has a higher risk of developing TB and experiencing more severe symptoms than a person with a healthy immune system. If you also suffer from other conditions that impair your immune system you may also be at risk.
A person can have TB bacteria in their body and never develop symptoms but part of early warning signs may include: a persistent cough (lasting at least 3 weeks) phlegm (which may have blood in it when you cough), loss of appetite and weight, feeling fatigued and falling sick. You could have swelling in the neck, a fever, night sweats, chest pain etc. TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.” (WHO). According to research, TB is NOT spread by shaking someone’s hand, sharing food or drink or kissing just be sure whoever your kissing does not have sha o)
TB can only be diagnosed by skin test or blood test. These tests would show whether you have it or not. Proper diagnosis has been reported to be major challenge in Nigeria as the disease is still underdiagnosis. An April 2019 report shows that Nigeria is “first in Africa” for the burden of the TB disease (The Nation newspaper quoting WHO). In 2018, 87% of new TB cases occurred in the 30 high TB burden countries. Eight countries accounted for two thirds of the new TB cases: India, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa.
This is not to scare you guys! It can be prevented in many ways. You could try these:
- Always strengthen your immune. A healthy immune system can completely kill TB bacteria through a diet high in fruits and vegetables, frequent washing of hands to avoid infection, adequate sleep, exercising, moderate alcohol consumption and no smoking. No other best form of defence against TB
- Lessen the time spent in places where is a large gathering of people (including public transport)
- staying away from other people until there is no longer a risk of infection
- Early diagnosis is the most effective way to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.
It’s been reported that a vaccine for TB only does little to its prevention especially in adults. Prevention is better than cure. TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer. Each day, over 4000 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease. Who knows this could just be the time for total decline just as the theme for World TB Day 2020 – ‘It’s time’. Stay hygienic guys while the search to contain the spread of Corona Virus is still ongoing.
