Everyone is at risk of contracting Tuberclosis

Among the general population, there is little understanding of tuberculosis, its causes and mode of treatment.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. About two thirds of the world population carries this germ but not everyone develops the disease. One may live with the germ without showing any symptoms.

However, when the body’s immunity breaks down, one develops tuberculosis disease.

Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk of catching tuberculosis because it is airborne and it is everywhere. However, those at the highest risk of contracting the disease include; HIV positive people, children, people who have been in contact with TB patients, the elderly, previous TB patients and people who are immune-suppressed (other than HIV).

According to Dr Frank Mugabe, the national manager of the TB/Leprosy programme, health workers, especially those operating outside the TB unit are among those most at risk because they are exposed to undiagnosed TB patients. Also, health workers who are HIV positive are at great risk.
Any patient who visits a health facility is also at risk of getting TB. Risky sites in health facilities include outpatient areas and HIV clinics

Dr Mugabe reveals that there is also high prevalence of tuberculosis in prisons around Uganda.
“Where there is poverty, there is likely to be congestion, untreated HIV and malnutrition, all of which make it conducive for TB (to flourish) in poor countries,” he adds.

Measures to reduce infection
In health facilities, it is recommended to open windows in order to reduce infection.

Other measures in place to help health workers manage the risk of catching TB include; the early identification of TB suspect cases, handling them in an open area and giving them fast-tracked care.

There is also a lot of ongoing testing for both HIV and TB in health facilities.
Health authorities also carry out targeted outreaches in underserved communities and congested facilities such as prisons and schools.

The national TB programme is currently conducting a survey to establish the prevalence of tuberculosis and the disease burden.

facts about tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria that attacks any part of the body especially the lungs.

Signs and symptoms of TB
Symptoms of tuberculosis mainly include: coughing, lasting two weeks or more, weight loss, night sweats or fever, coughing, blood-stained sputum, chest pains and other aches.

How is TB spread?
The TB germ is spread from one person to another through the air
TB spreads in many ways such as coughing, talking, sneezing, singing, laughing and ululating
TB can be transmitted to every person irrespective of age, social status or place of residence.
How can TB be prevented?
Cover mouth with handkerchief, any other piece of cloth or an arm/elbow when you cough or sneeze
Open windows to let in fresh air when in crowded places
Do not share a bed with a TB patient
Avoid enclosed areas

Is TB curable?
TB is curable
Take your medication for the full six to eight months duration or 20-24 months in case you have multi-drug resistant TB (MDR)
Follow the instructions given to you by a health worker
Eat a balanced diet
Exercise regularly and balance your life between work and rest.
What to do if you get TB
Take your medication as instructed by the health worker
Return to the health centre and take a final test to confirm that you are cured of tuberculosis.
How are children at risk of TB?
Children under five have low immunity and are at high risk of TB infection
Children with HIV are at high risk of developing TB, including meningitis TB
A child living with TB is also at risk of other complications such as becoming deaf, blind, paralysed or mentally retarded.
Have children screened for TB and tested for HIV.
Ensure that your newborns receive the BCG vaccine according to the national recommendations.

Symptoms of TB in children
Sudden loss of appetite for food or breastfeeding
Rapid weight loss
Loss of energy
Fevers for long periods (two weeks)
Loss of consciousness
Drowsiness and/or excessive sleepiness.

About multi-drug resistance
Multi-Drug Resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is a form of TB which is resistant to drugs such as Rifampicin and Isoniazid and requires up to a minimum of 20 months of treatment.
The resistance arises when people fail to adhere to the prescribed course of treatment. This is acquired resistance which can be transmitted.

There are an estimated 1080 cases of multi-drug resistant TB in Uganda. In 2014, 255 cases of MDR TB with 206 cases enrolled on treatment last year.

There are 100 health facilities which are equipped to diagnose multi-drug resistant TB in Uganda. There is treatment for MDR TB at all referral hospitals in the country, with the exception of Jinja hospital where facilities are being set up.
There are more than 480,000 cases of multi-drug resistant TB worldwide. Of these, 136,000 cases have been diagnosed and 97,000 patients have been started on treatment.

Nine per cent of all cases of MDR TB cases have a more lethal form of TB known as Extremely Drug Resistant TB (XDR-TB). This form of TB does not respsond to most available medication and is very hard to treat.
Uganda has had two cases of XDR-Tb but the patients died.

Global and national statistics for tuberculosis

Globally, there are nine million new cases of tuberculosis that emerge every year.
1.1 million of these cases are also infected with HIV, with the majority of the co-infected cases in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Of the estimated total number of cases, 5.7 million are found and treated while it is thought that three million cases are missed.

There are 22 high burden countries; those with more than 80 per cent of all the tuberculosis cases and Uganda is one of these countries.

Globally, there are over 480,000 cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Of these 136,000 are diagnosed and 97,000 treated. Uganda has treated 600 cases.

Disease burden in Uganda
Two thirds or more of Ugandans are infected but they are unaware of the infection. About 60,000 Ugandans develop TB disease every year.

In addition, 45 per cent of all cases of tuberculosis are co-infected with HIV, making Uganda one of the highest TB/HIV co-infected countries with the rate of TB infection at seven times the national prevalence of HIV.

In Kampala, there are about 6000 cases every year.
An average of 5000 patients die due to TB every year. Tuberculosis is currently the second killer after malaria for hospitalised patients.

-Compiled by Angela Nampewo