Tuberculosis, one of the world’s most communicable diseases, affects about a quarter of the world’s population. It is caused by a bacterial infection that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings or speaks.
Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body.
As part of global efforts to combat the disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1996 earmarked March 24 as World Tuberculosis Day.
This year’s theme “Yes! We Can End TB – Commit, Invest, Deliver” calls on all stakeholders to strengthen TB control programmes, invest in increasing domestic funding and upscale WHO – recommended interventions.
In an interview with ATL FM, the head of Disease Control of the University of Cape Coast Sub-Metro of the Ghana Health Service, Ms. Prisca Sunu, noted that tuberculosis manifests in two forms: Pulmonary tuberculosis: which affects the lungs (which is the commonest) and Extrapulmonary tuberculosis; which occurs outside the lungs, in the kidneys, spine or brain.
When an individual contracts tuberculosis, they exhibit symptoms such as; prolonged cough (lasts for more than weeks), a cough that produces blood or mucus, chest pains during breathing and coughing, a persistent fever, excessive sweating (especially at night), unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness and reduced appetite for food.
Its symptoms include swollen lymph nodes especially in the neck, pain in the bones or joints, persistent headache, stiffness in the neck, a break-out of rash on the body and difficulty in thinking clearly.
Persons who have diabetes, weakened immune systems, HIV/AIDS, tobacco users and consumers of alcohol are more prone to contracting tuberculosis.
To treat tuberculosis, Ms. Sunu emphasized that patients must take prescribed special antibiotics for six months. and testing for TB regularly when one has HIV or diabetes for prevention, Vaccination is also a sure way of protecting children against tuberculosis.
Read also: Mahama Promotes New Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs
Source: Afote Asomdwoe Laryea/ATLFMNEWS
