Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. Although TB can be a serious health concern, it’s important to know that it is preventable and curable with the right diagnosis, treatment and support.

What is Mycobacterium Tuberculosis?

• Commonly known as TB
• It usually affects the lungs after you have inhaled the bacilli (germ)
• You will develop difficulty in breathing and you can spread the disease to others
• The disease makes holes in your lungs and can also cause other damage
• It kills about 3 million people every year and infects almost 9 million annually worldwide  (according to the World Health Organisation)

How will I know if I have TB?

If you present with one or more of the following, please consult your doctor:

• Coughing for more than two weeks
• Coughing up blood
• Not wanting to eat
• Chest pains
• Losing weight
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling tired all the time
• Sweating at night
• A fever that comes and goes

How does TB spread?

It is spread through the air when someone who has TB coughs, spits, sings, shouts or sneezes.
It spreads very easily in overcrowded places.

Can TB be cured?

If you are diagnosed with TB, you will be given medication which you have to take for at least six months. Do not stop taking the medicine, even if you feel better. This may cause resistant TB, which will be more difficult to treat.

How to prevent TB

• Eat healthy food.
• Stop smoking and excessive drinking.
• Do not stay in overcrowded places. If you stay in an overcrowded place, regularly open windows to ventilate the room.
• Exercise regularly.
• Sleep enough.
• If you are HIV-positive, take your anti-retroviral medicine for life.
• Wear a mask if you work in a dusty place.
• Visit the doctor as soon as you have symptoms.
• Cough into a tissue or the inside of your arm – not into your fist.
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Make sure your children get the TB vaccination.