Tuberculosis Awareness Month

A communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It results in more deaths than any other single microbial agent worldwide. Each year, it is estimated that 1.7 million people die of tuberculosis and 9million new cases occur.

The transmission of tuberculosis is mainly through inhalation of infectious droplets, may be through ingestion of contaminated milk , infection after trauma or congenital ( at birth).

Symptoms include chronic cough , bloody- phlegm , chest pain, weight loss,  night sweats and loss of appetite.

The lungs are the most common site of TB infection, other sites include the spine, brain, joints , kidneys etc.

Diagnosis is made through combination of clinical symptoms ,bedside tests , X-rays and laboratory tests. Treatment can be started with a positive result in any of these tests.

TB is treated for a minimum of 6months depending on the site of infection, treatment duration may be up to 2 years. 

Adherence to treatment is one of the most crucial aspects of irradicating infection and preventing resistance to anti-tb drugs.

Tuberculosis is a chronic, communicable but curable disease. Its is important to be aware of the symptoms as mentioned above and attend your local clinic or family doctor for screening if disease is suspected.

Written by Dr M Gwamanda based at 258 Boshoff Street in Pietermaritzburg. Cell: 0814480074.

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