Tuberculosis Council

DO I HAVE TB?


DO I HAVE TB? MAYROON BA AKONG TB?


Symptoms:

Any of the following 4 Cardinal symptoms, lasting two weeks or more :
• Cough
• Unexplained fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Night sweats

Other symptoms include :
• Chest or back pain
• Coughing out of blood
• Shortness of breath

Transmission :

TB is spread from person to person through the air. When an untreated infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or sings, the airbone particle released is inhaled by another person and becomes infected.

Diagnosis

A Presumptive TB patient (with one of the Cardinal symptoms or a positive chest X-ray) needs to have its phlegm examined through Rapid TB Diagnostic Test such as Gene Xpert to confirm the diagnosis of TB.

Treatment

Complete the prescribed 6-month course of treatment for drug susceptible TB even if you feel better early on. (2 months intensive phase and 4 months maintenance phase)



COMMON Adverse Drug Reactions OF ANTI -TB TREATMENT


Minor Adverse Reactions

• Gastrointestinal Intolerance
• Mild or localized skin reactions
• Orange OR Red colored urine
• Burning sensation in the feet due to peripheral neuropathy
• Flu like symptoms (fever and muscle pain)

What to do?
Continue TB medications while taking symptom-based treatment.




Major Adverse Reactions

• Severe Skin rash due to hypersensitivity reactions
• Jaundice due to hepatitis
• Impairment of visual acuity and color vision due to optic neuritis
• Hearing impairment, ringing of the ears, dizziness due to damage of the eight cranial nerve


What to do?
STOP TB medications and refer to specialist.






Prevention and Control

• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing
• Wear Face mask
• Cover mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing then seal the tissue in a plastic bag, and dispose
• Do not spit anywhere
• Use a fan or open windows to move around fresh air




Myths and Facts about TB


What is Tuberculosis?

  • Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • Primarily affects lungs but can affect other organs.
  • Spread via airborne droplets from coughs or sneezes.

TB in the Philippines

  • Philippines is one of the highest TB burden countries.
  • Free diagnosis and treatment available at health centers.
  • Public stigma still affects TB treatment-seeking behavior.

Rationale

  • The myth about TB delays treatment, brings stigma, and spreads it widely.
  • The facts about TB leads to early diagnosis, proper care, treatment and recovery

Myth: TB Only Affects Lungs

  • Fact: TB can affect other organs like brain, bones, kidneys
  • Called extrapulmonary TB
  • Pott’s Disease
  • TB Meningitis
  • Gastrointestinal TB




Latent TB infection can also be prevented from becoming an Active TB disease thru TB Preventive Treatment (TPT).
Consult your doctor.







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