VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2014
A SLICE OF ORANGE Refreshing Your Health
TEN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TB, PART 2 • Treating people with TB is the
best way to prevent getting TB
• Treating TB requires at least
four drugs
• Treating TB means very regular
visits to a clinic
• Nutrition is key
PART 2
• There is a TB vaccine
Ten things you need to know about TB TB IS VERY COMMON IN THE PHILIPPINES, BUT WE HAVE THE POWER
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TO TURN THE TABLES ON TB. Last issue, we learned about tuberculosis and the bacteria that cause it.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2014
We learned that: 1 TB is a tough bug. 2 TB is easy to catch, being an airborne disease. 3 Many people do not know they have TB because symptoms develop late and can mimic other diseases.
4 TB is a deadly disease. 5 You need to get tested, and the most cost effective test is an examination of a patient’s sputum. Now that we learned about the bad things, it’s time to turn the tables against TB.
6
Treating people with TB
there are as few possible patients that
cause some side effects, many people
is the best way to
can transmit the disease. For example, if
stop treatment before completing the
prevent getting TB
you have a household member with TB,
6 months required treatment. But if this
Since TB is airborne, certain hygiene
but have that patient treated, that patient
happens, the TB can return, and this time
measures can help prevent transmis-
will no longer be able to transmit TB. It
resistant to the four antibiotics (a con-
sion from one person to the next. These
takes only two weeks of treatment before
dition called multi-drug resistant TB or
include:
a TB patient becomes non-contagious.
MDRTB). To prevent this from happen-
• Living in a well-ventilated environment • Avoiding sneezing and coughing with out covering your mouth
7
ing, patients are advised to take their Treating TB requires at
medications daily in the presence of a
least four drugs.
health worker. This way, not only can
As mentioned in Fact #1, the TB bacilli
the health worker ensure that the daily
is protected by a special cell wall. This
dose was taken, but he or she can also
cell wall protects the bacilli against the
advise the patient in case side effects
However, because we usually get TB
actions of antibiotics. For anti-TB antibi-
occur. This approach is called DOTS (di-
from close household contacts that we
otics to work, a combination of at least
rectly observed treatment, short-course).
live with for months or years at a time,
four antibiotics should be used. The
the risk of getting TB can still be high.
combination is composed of isoniazid,
and nose • Regular hand-washing
rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazin-
9
Nutrition is key.
Therefore, the best way to prevent trans-
amide. This cocktail should be taken for
Malnutrition is a strong risk factor for
mitting the TB bacilli is to make sure
2 months, after which the ethambutol
becoming sick with active TB. Malnour-
and pyrazinamide can be stopped, but
ished patients have poorer immune sys-
the other two drugs should be continued
tems that have a harder time warding
for another 4 months. These medications
off the TB bacilli. Eating a well-balanced
are available for free in barangay health
diet rich in protein can help your body
centers, after a sputum exam shows one
keep the bacilli at bay.
is positive for active TB.
8
Vitamin D is important in fighting TB, as Treating TB means very
it enhances the immunity that specifically
regular visits to a clinic.
fights the TB bacilli. Many patients, es-
Because of the long treatment duration,
pecially those who have very little expo-
and the fact that the antibiotics used can
sure to sunlight (e.g. those stuck behind
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2014
a desk at work) can become vitamin D deficient. Rich sources of vitamin D include milk and cod liver oil.
10 A
vaccine
Side effects of anti-TB medications The antibiotics used to treat TB can cause many side effects. When you experience any of these side effects, do not stop taking your medications. Instead, visit the DOTS center so that a health care professional can advise what to do.
There is a TB vaccine. called
BCG
Isoniazid
Rifampicin
Rash
(bacillus
Ethambutol
Pyrazinamide
Liver damage
Vision problems
Gout, arthritis,
Nerve damage, tingling, or numbness
joint pains
Calmette–Guérin), directed against TB,
Liver damage
Jaundice
is available. BCG is not very effective
Jaundice
Abdominal pain
in preventing TB in the lungs, but it can
Abdominal pain
Breathlessness
greatly prevent the spread of the bacilli
Anemia
Flushing
to other parts of the body, such as the
Nerve damage, numbness, tingling, or weakness
Itching
brain and bones, especially among children. By doing so, BCG can prevent severe, debilitating disease and deaths due to TB. The BCG usually causes a scar. To know if you have had BCG when you were young, check if you have a scar on your shoulder, or check your medical records. If you think you
Headache Poor concentration Weight gain Poor memory Insomnia Depression
Rash
Joint pains Liver damage Jaundice Abdominal pain
Liver damage Jaundice Abdominal pain Nausea Vomiting
Nausea
Increased blood uric acid
Poor appetite
Vomiting
Dizziness
Anemia
Chills
Rash
Skin rash or itching
Fever Headache Joint pains
were not immunized, and are at high risk of contracting TB (e.g. you live or work
Now you know that you can fight TB
ment. With these measures, it is hoped
with someone who has TB), get a BCG
through proper hygiene, nutrition, vac-
that the Philippines can one day eradi-
in a local health center or clinic.
cination, and compliant antibiotic treat-
cate TB.
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2014 ActiveLink
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A Slice of Orange is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD