HIV brings new cases of Tuberculosis
If you thought Tuberculosis has been wiped away, well not so. The experts say that the disease was brought under control but that with the spread of HIV/AIDS, the number of TB cases is on the rise. The two diseases have in common, weak immune systems and there are eighty nine persons infected. In this edition, Healthy Living discloses valuable information on this health problem.
Marleni Cuellar reporting,
According to the World Health Organization, almost one third of the world’s population is currently infected with the tuberculosis germs. Once considered an ancient disease, tuberculosis is still a viable health concern around the world with at least one person being newly infected with the TB germs every second. In Belize, the picture is painted no different.
Dr Francis Morey, National TB Coordinator, MOH
Dr. Francis Morey
“TB is still with us, it has never left us and it is here.”
Dr Francis Morey is the National Tuberculosis Coordinator in Belize. He spearheads efforts by the Ministry of Health to spread awareness about the disease and monitor the situation of TB in the country.
Dr Francis Morey
“What has happened is that over the years there was a certain control of it but with the HIV epidemic in comparison to other countries who had an increase in HIV had an increase in surge of TB Cases. Both disease have one thing in common they both love a person with a weak immune system.”
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria. The infection can affect any part of the body but it is most often found in the lungs. Not every person who has been exposed to the bacteria develops tuberculosis.
Dr Francis Morey
“When we say TB we speak basically of two things. A TB infection or latent TB disease in which the person has an intact immune system and cannot transmit the disease to another person This person is the one who is not sick, is not losing weight does not have any other symptom of TB disease now this person can be just like you and me, the person who has active Tb disease is the person who is ill the person who’s losing weight who has lost of appetite who has fever or night chills and has a very important symptom which is the prolonged cough for more than two or three weeks. This cough can be productive it goes from a clear phlegm to a frank bloody sputum.”
Persons with latent TB cannot transmit the disease but those with active TB, the ones who are actually sick, pass on the bacteria through coughs and sneezes.
Dr Francis Morey
“Whenever a person has this infection he coughs he sneezes and when the cough has varied production of phlegm which can include blood depending on the area of the lungs is infected. When he coughs he liberates this mycobacterium into the air and individuals who are in the same environment or same setting especially if there is no sunlight no ventilation, these individuals breathe in the same air and the same air which is infected breathed in goes into the lungs and it usually stays there.”
With a strong immune system, the infection will most likely be dormant: that is latent TB. But in the event of any weakening of the immune system, then the development of active TB is likely. A proper diagnosis is essential in overcoming the fatal disease.
Dr Francis Morey
“You have to have an adequate amnesis and an adequate history of the patient. How long have you been coughing, have you been in contact with someone who has TB before. Have you received any treatment for TB before. These things we must know the Who, the What, the Where, What you have done.”
Although the persistent cough is the main symptom, other symptoms like ever, sweats, feeling unwell, weight loss, pains in the chest, and poor appetite will be present. Symptoms occur over time and the fever may not always be present. The most commonly affected persons are People living with HIV but TB does not discriminate.
Dr Francis Morey
“TB is said to be rooted in poverty. Malnutrition, people who are homeless people who have psychiatric disorders because usually if you have a psychiatric problem you lie down anywhere. You lie down on the ground, you do not eat or have adequate diet eating once a day or once a week. These are individuals who in our society are most affected. It does not respect race, creed, religion, sex or even ages. Once you have been in contact with one who is pass it on you can develop the disease once infected.”
The diagnosis is only complete following a lab test on the phlegm for confirmation of the mycobacterium. The treatment includes a combination of special antibiotics to be taken over a 6 month period. This is heavily stressed by doctors as incomplete treatment may lead to drug resistance.
Dr Francis Morey
“Too much antibiotics for a certain bacteria which are not taken adequately timely consistently leads to the development of resistance. It is not only from TB medication but for any antibiotics.”
Belize does not currently have a major problem with drug resistance as is the case in other countries but there has been a slight increase in cases of TB over the past few years. With a total of eighty-nine patients countrywide in 2009 and of that number fourteen deaths. This is part of the reason efforts are still underway to spread awareness.
