TB pandemic continues during Covid-19

Tuberculosis is the leading infectious killer in the world.

The disease kills someone every 22 seconds, about 1.4 million people in 2019 alone, according to TB Alliance

This ongoing pandemic world-wide has been overshadowed by Covid-19 but for which education programmes on prevention and treatment remain critical to stopping the spread.

With people more likely to stay at home and away from hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a growing concern among the medical community that testing and treatment for other diseases is taking a back seat.

In South Africa in 2019 alone, more than 58 000 people died of TB and another 72 000 of Aids related illnesses.

These both outweigh the 52 663 deaths (as of March 29) as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In order to tackle this problem about 300 people gathered at the Ballito Clinic last week for a public health seminar in conjunction with World Tuberculosis Day.

Clinic staff addressed the prevention and treatment of Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/Aids and Covid-19.

“World TB Day is a most important opportunity to raise awareness and encourage testing to help address the damaging effects of the ongoing, global epidemic of TB,” said pharmacist Joy Steenkamp of Medipost Pharmacy.

The clinic held a 3 hour programme, touching on a number of important topics including safe sex practices, dealing with a diagnosis and living with treatment.

“Stopping the spread of these diseases starts with education and we continue to engage with our community so that the correct information is getting across,” said Ballito Clinic board member Pam Mills.

Ward 6 councillor Tammy Colley and Ward 22 councillor Privi Makhan donated fruit and juices for the crowd to enjoy while they listened.

Know the symptoms of TB:

TB is an airborne disease in much the same way that Covid-19 is, typically spread by moisture droplets in the air.

The symptoms are similar as well which makes self-diagnosis difficult and you should always seek medical advice if you think you may be infected.

General symptoms include fever, cough, body aches, chills, weight loss and night sweats.

While the disease most commonly affects the lungs, it can also affect other organs or structures including the lymph nodes, bones, the abdomen, pleura (the lining of the lungs), the heart, spinal cord or brain.

If caught early enough, TB can be treated effectively and cured with the correct medication – it does not have to be a death sentence.