Tuberculosis: A Slice of Orange - April 2014 - Ten things you need to know about TB, part 2

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.

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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