THE month of March, particularly the 24th, is dedicated to informing people about the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and educating them so they are able to identify the disease earlier and seek proper treatment.
TB can be cured with little or no complications but medication must be started as soon as possible and taken regularly according to the instructions given at the clinic.
It takes six months for TB to be cured completely, but within 2 weeks of starting treatment, the person will no longer spread the disease.
It is a mistake to stop taking medicines when a person feels better.
All treatment/medicine must be taken for the full 6 months.
If treatment/medicine is missed, the risk of a drug resistant strain of TB is possible.
This level TB is very difficult to treat and needs more than 18 months of treatment/medicine, with a long stay in hospital as it takes a longer time for TB germs to be destroyed.
If medicines are stopped too soon and without instructions of the nurse or doctor the disease may start all over again.

What is TB?
Tuberculosis (known as TB) is a disease caused by a germ called Mycobacteriumtuberculosis.
People who have healthy immune systems usually do not get sick with TB even if the TB germs are in their bodies.
TB makes people sick when their bodies are not healthy enough to fight the TB germs.
When the immune system is weak, the TB germs multiply in the body.
This is called active TB and is a serious disease that can kill you.

We can all prevent TB

There are simple things everyone can do to prevent the spread of TB:
• Get tested for TB if you have any symptoms, especially if you have a cough or you are losing weight
• If you are HIV-positive, regularly ask your clinic to check if you have TB
• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough
• If someone near you is coughing, look the other way and cover your mouth
• If you have TB, take your medicines properly
• Open windows, especially in crowded rooms and taxis