Tuberculosis: a global emergency

Did you know that the infectious disease with the highest adult mortality rate is tuberculosis?

In fact, a third of the world's population is infected with this highly contagious disease. So much so that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared tuberculosis (TB) a global emergency.

More than eight million new TB cases are reported throughout the world every year and two million people suffer TB-deaths annually. South Africa is one of the countries with the highest infection and death rate in the world. According to the South African National Tuberculosis Association (SANTA), approximately 15 000 people die of TB in our country every year and a further 370 000 new cases are reported.

Although this paints a very gloom picture, TB is a treatable and curable disease. March celebrates TB Awareness Month and as part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) commitment to provide our members with information and support in order to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle, this article will answer all your TB-related questions.

What is TB?
TB is an infectious disease caused by germs known as tubercle bacilli. As many as 60 percent of us contain dormant TB germs in our lungs, although you only develop active TB when your immune system is suppressed through various factors which can include stress, poor diet, drug abuse and any other illness like HIV/AIDS.

What causes TB?
The TB germs are found in infected person's sputum and are spread through the air. When someone with TB sneezes, coughs, or even talks healthy people nearby may inhale these bacteria and become infected with the germs and develop TB.

The good news however is that you usually need substantial exposure to someone with TB, but this means that you are more likely to get TB from family members or co-workers rather than from strangers.

What are the symptoms of TB?
As mentioned, most people carry TB germs without developing the illness. After inhaling the TB germs, your immune system controls the infection and you do not show any symptoms.  However, as soon as your immune system weakens due to poor diet or having a cold, the TB germs grow unchecked and you develop active TB.

This then also explains the link between TB and HIV/Aids. According to research, you are 30 times more likely to develop active TB when you are HIV positive because the HI-virus attacks the body's immune system and lets the TB germs grow unchecked.

Symptoms of having active TB include a persistent cough, weakness, weight-loss, appetite-loos, breaking out in a sweat at night even when it is cold, chest pains, breathlessness and even bloodstained sputum when you cough.

You need to see a doctor and be tested for TB if you have been in contact with anyone that has TB or if you have a persistent cough for more than two weeks.  A cough and weakness in your body is usually the first signs of developing active TB. Remember the testing and treatment of TB is free and therefore even in these difficult economic times you have no excuse not to get tested.

How is TB treated?
There are a variety of tablets used to treat a person with active TB. The main problem with TB-treatment is that the tablets need to be taken for a minimum period of six months in order for the medication to kill all the bacteria.

The good news is that over 95 percent of people properly treated for TB are cured. The best thing you can do to support a family member or friend with TB is to make sure that they take their medication for the whole six months and that they don't stop after a couple of weeks when they start feeling better.

By not finishing your course of TB medication, you are also at risk of developing Multi drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) - a strain of TB bacteria that has become resistant to TB drugs that can be fatal.

GEMS would like to see South Africa becoming a TB free-community and urge all its members to get tested for TB. If you do develop active TB, it is also important to make sure that you use a handkerchief when you cough or sneeze to try and contain TB germs from spreading. If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you if you do develop this illness, please call our call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will do what we can to make sure that you make a full recovery.