WHY THIS
PAGE?
This is a page dedicated
to patients and relatives of TB patients searching for correct answers to their
disease and problems. Many doctors in their busy practices don’t have time to
discuss these issues. Neither the patient has the courage to question his/her
doctor on the doubts and uncertainties of treatment. This page gives a brief
introduction to TB, including what it is, different types of TB disease, and facts
about TB tests, drugs & treatment. A TB patient may find these
questions relevant and helpful without feeling awkward to question their doctors.
THE NEED NOW?
In the recent years, I see an increase in the number of patients
with TB and Drug resistant TB in my clinics. This increase is because many of
these patients are either mismanaged by doctors who are not specialized in the
treatment of TB, and also due to the lack of knowledge among people about TB. Sometimes
an average patient of TB has wasted 45-60 days, before getting a correct diagnosis
and treatment to follow.
In my clinics, I could realize that an average patient has very
less knowledge of TB, although it is one of the major cause of death in our country.
EVERY MINUTE 1 PATIENT DIES IN INDIA
DUE TO TB
Here I present a dialogue with one of my patient who made me realize
he knows nothing about TB and that such lack of knowledge should be addressed urgently
among patients. Hence this page which depicts some common questions he and many
others ask me daily.
WHAT IS TB?
TB is a bacterial disease which in humans is usually caused by
an organism called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). TB
is an abbreviation of the word Tuberculosis and is how people usually refer to
the disease. Few years ago it was believed that we can stop and eradicate TB from
our country, and that it was no longer a problem. But now because of issues as
drug resistance and HIV, it has become a major problem again.
I HAVE NO ONE IN MY FAMILY WITH TB?
HOW DID I GET TB?
Bacteria get released into the air by some person who is
already infected with them. You get TB by inhaling TB bacteria that are in the
air. When a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, sings or
talks, droplets containing the bacteria are released into the air. That is why
people who think they may be infectious, should often hold something over their
mouth when they are near to other people. People working in a health clinic may
for this reason sometimes wear a mask.
CAN SOMEONE DIE WITH TB?
IS IT SO BAD LIKE HEART ATTACK TO KILL SOMEONE?
Yes if not treated on time, TB can become a severe disease killing
the person infected with TB. However a TB patient will not die suddenly in
minutes like a heart attack but he will die suffering in pain for months
together if not treated.
CAN IT BE CURED? WILL I DIE?
MY NEIGHBOURS SON DIED DUE TO TB
TB can usually be cured. The treatment usually consists
of a combination of TB drugs that must be taken for at least six
months. But the treatment will only be successful if the drugs are taken
exactly as required for the entire length of time. Any default from your side
in the treatment will bring bad outcomes and even death in some cases.
WILL EVERYONE WITH TB, SPREAD TB TO OTHERS?
WILL I SPREAD IT TO MY WIFE OR CHILDREN?
No.
Not everyone suffering with TB will spread TB to others. Generally it is only
people with TB of the throat or lungs who are infectious. People suffering from
TB of bone, joints, spine, brain, skin and other organs do not spread it to
others. Also, an important factor is whether someone is on effective
treatment. TB treatment dramatically reduces the number of germs released
by a person in the air.
BUT I HAVE SMALL ROOM AND
BREATHE IN THE SAME AIR?
HOW LONG DO TB BACTERIA STAY
ALIVE?
The bacteria can sometimes stay alive in the air for a
few hours, especially in small places with no fresh air. Fresh air and sunlight
make it harder for the bacteria to stay alive. The fresh air scatters the
bacteria and the sunlight kills them.
CAN I EAT SITITNG ON THE SAME TABLE WITH MY WIFE AND
CHILDREN?
SHOULD I STAY ALONE AND NOT MEET ANYONE?
Yes certainly you can eat, drink and live a normal life
with your family. The bacteria are not transmitted:
·
through food and
water,
·
or by kissing,
·
or by skin contact
such as shaking hands,
·
or by touching a
toilet seat
·
or by sharing a
toothbrush.
A TB patient also deserves the same love, care
and affection from his family members as any other. He might not be left alone
like an untouchable. However you should wear a mask and cover your mouth with a
kerchief while coughing.
HOW DO I PREVENT THEM GETTING TB FROM ME?
Cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to
avoid spread while coughing and talking. Also important is take your medicines
regularly so that the germs are killed and reduced in number. Eat good and
nutritious food to increase your immunity. And if anyone in the family shows
signs and symptoms of TB, see your doctor immediately
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The symptoms depend on which area of the body has been
infected. If someone has pulmonary disease, which is TB in the lungs, then they
may have a bad cough that lasts longer than two weeks. They may also have pain
in their chest and they may cough up blood or phlegm from deep inside their
lungs. Other symptoms of TB include weakness or fatigue, weight loss,
lack of appetite, chills, fever and night sweats.
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE BECOME
INFECTED WHEN OTHERS DON’T?
It is not known why some people who are exposed to the
bacteria become infected when other people don’t. However the chance of
becoming infected depends mainly on the immunity of the exposed person, number
of germs in the air, and the length of exposure to a person with TB.
I HAVE
COUGH AND NOT GAINING WEIGHT, MY DOCTOR SAID IT IS TB?
It is very difficult to diagnose TB by a person’s symptoms on
their own. This is because some other diseases have the same symptoms. Cough
can be due to allergy, cold, viral infection, smoking, lung cancer and many
other diseases as well.
A diagnosis is only certain when there is definite evidence of
TB bacteria. Some of the TB tests used for diagnosis look directly
for the bacteria. Tests for diagnosis include the sputum microscopy, the
sputum culture test as well as the new GENEXPERT test.
Others such as the chest X-ray, skin test like Mantoux, lack accuracy
as well as they aren’t definitive of any disease.
MY DOCTOR DID A CHEST XRAY AND PUT ME ON TREATMENT FOR 6 MONTHS?
Tests such as the chest X-ray, skin test like Mantoux, lack accuracy
as well as they aren’t definitive of any disease. So to start treatment for TB
based only on these tests is completely wrong. Sputum tests and/or Bronchoscopy
should be advised to get a definite diagnosis before putting anyone on such a lengthy
treatment.
MY DOCTOR SAID 3 MONTHS OF TREATMENT AND I WILL BE FINE?
No there exist no such treatment for 3 months. I agree
that 3 months and you may feel better or normal however to be completely cured
a minimum of 6 months treatment is a must. In some cases even 9 months
treatment is deemed necessary.
