TUBERCULOSIS

What You Need to Know About Tuberculosis (TB)

The TB Scenario

Defining TB: Cause, Transmission, and

Manifestations

Risk of TB infection

Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis

TB Treatment and Cure

Preventing transmission

Proper Management of TB cases

TB Burden in the World

1/3 of the World Population is

Infected

1 Person is Infected per Second

1.9 Million People Die of TB each

Year

Philippines is 1 of the world’s 22

high-burden countries for

Tuberculosis

TB Burden in the Philippines

22 million reported

infections

TB kills 75 Filipinos per

day

TB is the 6th leading

cause of Mortality and

Morbidity

Undiagnosed TB cases

remain high in local

communities

What is Tuberculosis?

TUBERCULOSIS is an infectious

disease caused by a micro bacteria

called “Tubercle bacilli”. It is

airborne. It usually affects the lungs but

may also affect other organs in the body

like the meninges, bones, kidneys etc.

The Tubercle Bacilli

Other Names:

Mycobacterium

tuberculosis

TB germ

Characteristics:

• slow growing

• can survive inside cells of the human body

• exposure to direct sunlight can kill the bacteria in sputum

How is it transmitted?

The TB Bacilli spreads through

airborne inhalation of droplets of

infection coming from a TB patient

whenever a person coughs or

sneezes, without covering his

mouth.

How Are TB Germs NOT Spread?

• Through quick, casual contact, like passing someone on the street

• By sharing utensils or food• By sharing cigarettes or drinking

containers• By exchanging saliva or other body fluids• By shaking hands• Using public telephones

How does PTB develop?1. TB bacilli enters the body

and lodges in the lungs

(TB Infection).

2. In the lungs, they

multiply and slowly eat

the cells and the body

begins to experience

symptoms (TB Disease)

3. If undiagnosed, lungs

cells are eaten up leading

that may lead death.

A person is infected

after inhaling droplets

from a person with TB

TB Infection vs. TB Disease• There is a difference between TB “infection”

and TB “disease”

• TB infection: TB germs stay in your lungs, but they do not multiply or make you sick– You cannot pass TB germs to others

• TB disease: TB germs stay in your lungs or move to other parts of your body, multiply, and make you sick– You can pass the TB germs to other people

Treatment for TB Infection

What are the signs and symptoms of TB?

Persistent cough for at least 2 weeks

Chest pains/ Back Pains (breathlessness)

Persistent low grade fever for more than a

month Significant weight loss with or with

out loss of appetite

Hemoptysis (Blood-tinged sputum)

Feeling of weakness (tiredness)

Night Sweats

Treatment for TB Disease

• TB disease is treated with medicine to kill the TB germs

• Usually, the treatment will last for 6-9 months

• TB disease can be cured if the medicine is taken as prescribed, even after you no longer feel sick

Who are at risk of getting TB?

People who share the same breathing

space with someone who has infectious

TB

Health workers, specially those working

in long-term facilities (prison,

sanitariums, etc.)

People whose immune systems are

compromised (People with HIV infection,

Pneumonia, Chronic lung disease, etc)

Who are at risk…

People exposed to silica and those with

jobs that compromise the respiratory

system (mine workers)

People underweight and malnourished

(esp. Children)

Alcoholics and IV drug users

Others

How is TB diagnosed?

1. Sputum

Microscopy– It shows the TB

bacilli in the

sputum

– It is the most

definitive

diagnostic tool of

Tuberculosis

How is TB diagnosed?

2. Chest X-Ray

– Determines

extent of the

lung damage

– Not a very

definitive

diagnostic tool

How is TB cured? TB can be cured. DOTS (Directly-Observed Treatment

Short Course) is the recommended strategy to cure TB.

It ensures the right combination and dosage of anti-TB drugs.

It ensures regular and complete intake of anti-TB drugs.

Patient takes drugs every day with the help of a treatment partner.

With proper treatment…

We want to treat patients with DOTS:

1. To make them get well as soon as

possible

2. To make them stop spreading the

disease onto others in the community

3. To avoid complications and multi-drug

resistance (MDR)

How can TB be prevented?

1. BCG vaccination for infants (newborn to 1 year old). This gives 80-85% protection against development of complicated TB among children;

2. Hygienic practices like covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing; and

3. Early diagnosis and treatment of TB infectious cases to stop transmission

Other Preventive Measures…

Maintain open air circulation inside the house

Have enough sleep

Eat nutritious food that boost the immune system

Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and use of prohibited drugs

What are some misconception about TB?

Misconceptions Facts

TB is mana-mana TB is hawa-hawa

TB results from “Pasma” and “naulanan”

TB is due a bacteria known as the “Tubercle bacilli”

TB is transmitted through sharing utensils with a person with TB

TB is transmitted through inhalation of the droplet nuclei from a person with TB

TB is not curable. One should be ashamed of his disease.

TB can be cured. The patient’s commitment is important. Everyone’s support is important in fighting TB.

REMINDER

If you experience the signs and symptoms of TB, do not be ashamed. Immediately visit our clinic for proper diagnosis and treatment