TUBERCULOSIS 101 Did you know tuberculosis (TB) still kills millions worldwide every year? It is a serious disease, but with the right treatment, it’s preventable and treatable. Learn everything you need to know about TB on right away Check the thread 👇🏾 Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease that mainly affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, and spine. It is caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB spreads through the air when someone who has the disease coughs, sneezes, talks, or laughs. People nearby can breathe in the germs without realizing it 😱 🔑 HOW TB HAPPENS When the bacteria enter your body, they don’t always make you sick right away 👀 In some people, the body’s immune system keeps the bacteria under control. This is called latent TB. People with latent TB don’t feel sick and can't spread the germs to others, but they can develop active TB later. Active TB happens when the bacteria begin to grow and spread, causing sickness. 🔑 SYMPTOMS OF ACTIVE TB When someone has active TB, they often show certain signs including: - A cough that lasts for three weeks or more - Coughing up blood 🩸or mucus - Chest pain when breathing or coughing - Unexplained weight loss - Feeling tired or weak all the time - Fever or chills, especially at night - Sweating heavily, especially at night 🔑 TB IS NOT JUST INTERESTED IN THE LUNGS 🫁 While it mostly affects the lungs, it can spread to other parts of the body, causing symptoms depending on the area affected There can be: - TB in the spine causing back pain or stiffness - TB in the brain causing headaches, confusion, or seizures - TB in the kidneys causing blood in the urine 🔑 WHO CAN MOST LIKELY CONTRACT TB? Sadly, anyone can get TB, but some people are at higher risk of developing active TB, especially if their immune system is weak. Those at higher risk include: - People with HIV/AIDS - People who smoke or drink alcohol heavily - People with other health conditions like diabetes or cancer - People living in crowded or poorly ventilated places (such as prisons or homeless shelters) - People who have been in close contact with someone who has active TB - People from areas where TB is more common 🔑 HOW TO DETECT TB - Skin test A small amount of TB protein is injected under your skin. If you’ve been exposed to TB, your skin will swell up in reaction to the protein. - Blood test Measures your body’s response to TB bacteria. - Chest X-ray Helps the doctor check for signs of active TB in your lungs. - Sputum test A sample of mucus from your lungs is tested for TB bacteria. 🔑 THERE IS GOOD NEWS The good news is that TB can be treated and cured, but it requires strong medicines, and the treatment can take six months or longer. The standard treatment for TB includes a combination of medicines taken every day. Don’t play… It matters to finish the entire treatment plan, even if you start to feel better. Stopping treatment too early can cause the bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotics, making the disease harder to treat. This is known as drug-resistant TB, 🤧 🔑 HOW CAN YOU PREVENT TB SPREAD? Preventing TB involves several important steps: - Get tested If you have been in contact with someone who has TB or if you live in an area with high TB rates, regular testing is important. - Cover your mouth If you have TB, always cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and wear a mask if necessary to prevent spreading the germs. - Complete the treatment Always finish your entire treatment to avoid making the bacteria resistant to antibiotics. - Open windows and improve ventilation in your home to help prevent the spread of TB germs. TB is a serious but treatable disease. If you think you’ve been exposed to TB or have symptoms, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Prepared by Ibrahim Khatib Juma @PharmacAre _PharmTech Email [email protected] Contact 0710 423 736 0627 921 047 #binkhatib"PharmacAre"Community