KUCHING: Each year on this day (March 24), is the day World TB Day is recognised worldwide.
It is a day to raise more awareness of TB, its health consequences, prevention and efforts to put it to an end.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the date marks the day when Dr Robert Koch announced his discovery of the bacteria called Mycobateriumtuberculsosis that causes tuberculosis (TB) in 1882.
“TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer. Nearly 4,500 people die due to TB each day, and close to 30,000 people fall ill,” WHO said.
Whereas in Sarawak, the figures are reported high too, with 3,121 TB cases in 2018, and of that figure 249 lost their lives to it.
With an average of eight new cases diagnosed every day in Sarawak, out of these, an average of two new cases are diagnosed in Kuching every day.
The theme for World TB Day 2019 this year is “It’s TIME”, meaning that it is time for people to get test and treatment if found to have TB.
It’s time also that education and awareness on by health care providers are strengthened.
The role does not only lie on health care providers, but as responsible individuals, we do need to play our part too, and it’s time that we go for medical screening, and get treatment if TB is detected.
And it’s time to demystify and to end stigma about the disease.
Here below are the information provided by Sarawak Health Department on TB and its prevention.
What is Turberculosis (TB)?
TB is an infectious disease caused by a germ called Mycobateriumtuberculsosis.
The bacteria commonly attacks and damages the lungs, but may also affect any organ, including bones, joints, brain, gut, and lymph nodes.
How is the disease transmitted?
TB is an airborne disease.
When a TB infected person coughs or sneezes, TB germs are spread into the air, and those in close contact such as family members, friends, co-workers, or schoolmates may be infected with the disease.
Some people develop TB disease soon (within weeks) after becoming infected, before their immune system can fight the TB bacteria. Other people may get sick years later.
Common symptoms
-Cough that last two weeks or more
-Loss of appetite and weight
-Prolonged fever
-Night sweats
-Swelling of lymph nodes
How is TB diagnosed?
-Commonly diagnosed from sputum test
-Chest X-ray
TB Treatment, can it be cured?
TB can be completely cured through effective diagnosis and treatment.
The treatment regime is at least six months up to a year of several medications.
Medication must not be skipped, or stopped half way through.
If not treated, it can cause death.
How can we stop TB?
Going for medical screening.
Making an appointment with a doctor if symptoms occur.
BCG vaccination at birth cannot totally prevent it, but can reduce the more severe forms of the disease.
The earlier treatment is started, the earlier a patient with TB will stop spreading the germs to other people.
Family members and other close contacts of TB patients must get screened.
Practice cough etiquette
Covering your cough helps to prevent the spread of germs.
Those who have TB are advised to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze.
Alternatively, you may cough or sneeze into your upper sleeves, and not your hands.
Put on a surgical mask to protect others from getting infected.
Most importantly, always throw used tissues into a waste basket.
Who can be infected?
There’s a stigma that only the poor, unhygienic and ill people can get infected, but that is not the case today. EVERYBODY can get infected.
It can affect anybody at any age from infants to the elderly.
It can affect anybody who lives both in the urban and rural areas.
However, diabetics and smokers are at higher risk.
It’s not a ‘dirty’ disease
There’s no need to be afraid of avoid those who has TB.
We still can eat, work, socialise and visit them.
We can still eat the food that they have prepared.
General advice
Get tested now before it’s too late!
Allow plenty of sunlight into the house or building because sunlight kills TB germs in the air.
Good ventilation also helps prevent TB from spreading.
Where to seek treatment?
Testing and treatment for TB is free of charge for Malaysian citizens at any government hospitals and health clinics.
In addition, the Anti Tuberculosis Association of Sarawak (ATAS) does provide financial aid to needy TB patients throughout the state.
Their premise is located at ATAS Building, Jalan Masjid, 93000 Kuching.
They may be contacted at 082-234706, or through e-mail at shd@sarawak.health.gov.my or http://sarawak.health.gov.my/.
