Page 21 - IFV_Issue 4_2022

Health & Wellness

length of time it takes to diagnose the are not recommended. In other words, two months, four different antibiotics:
disease. As it mostly starts with a lung the intention of the BCG vaccination is Isoniazid, Rifampin, Ethambutol and
infection that causes one to cough, one to prevent childhood TB. Pyrazinamide have to be taken regularly
might try to treat it with an off the shelf Prevention and/or treatment after that – without skipping doses. Thereafter,
cough syrup in the early stages. When is pretty much up to you. If you are aware for between four and 10 months,
the cough persists, one might consult a that someone you know may have TB, treatment with Isoniazid and Rifampin
doctor, who may then prescribe cold or keep your contact with them virtual until is continued. One of the reasons why
flu medication, based on the additional they have been cured of the disease. one has to be disciplined about taking
symptoms of fever, chills and night the medication as prescribed is because
sweats. Frequently, the alarm bells only DIAGNOSIS the disease can become drug-resistant.
start ringing when the patient starts Detection of the presence of TB in one’s In fact, the Department of Health has
losing weight unintentionally – this body is done either via a TB skin test or indicated that there is already a multi-
could take many months to manifest. by doing blood tests. With the skin test, drug resistant strain in evidence – this
After starting in the lungs, the a small amount of tuberculin is injected is of particular concern when it comes
infection then moves elsewhere in the beneath the skin on the inside of one’s to HIV positive people whose immune
body, including the lymph nodes in the forearm. If the site of the injection systems are already compromised.
neck and groin; the bones and joints; the becomes red and slightly swollen, it’s a
abdomen; the kidneys; and the spinal sign of the presence of TB in the body CONCLUSION
cord and brain (meningeal tuberculosis). – which could be because one has had The bottom line is, if you have a
the BCG vaccination, due to latent TB, or persistent cough, don’t ignore it. Have
PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF TB active TB. When doing blood tests, if the yourself tested for TB. If you suspect that
Since the 70s, in South Africa, the Bacillus main symptom is a persistent cough, the your children or children that you know
Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination has doctor might ask for a chest X-ray to be have not yet had the BCG vaccination,
been administered to newborn babies. taken by a radiologist, to check for any make arrangements/strongly advise
That means that if you’re younger than lesions or abnormalities of the lungs. their parents to vaccinate them.
50, you’ve most likely been immunised TB meningitis is particularly deadly
against TB – however, it’s important TREATMENT and not all kids can be saved, even if they
to note that the immunity only lasts Treatment is by way of antibiotics are treated in the country’s top medical
between 15 and 20 years and boosters prescribed by a doctor. For the first facilities by highly skilled doctors.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug susceptibility test.

References:
https://tbfacts.org/history-tb-south-africa/
https://www.who.int/health-topics/tuberculosis
https://www.cdc.gov

The Villager • Issue 4 2022 • 19