All about Tuberculosis
Basic Facts about TB
- An infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria was discovered over centuries ago by Robert Koch on March 24, 1882
- This disease commonly infects the lungs (called pulmonary TB) but it can also affect other parts of the body such as the bones, intestines, the kidneys, the brain, the liver. This is termed as extra-pulmonary Tuberculosis.
- In 2022, the Philippines ranks 4th highest TB incidence globally with 737,000 active TB cases, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 report.
- TB claims the lives of over 100 Filipinos every day.
A Pulmonary TB patient whose sputum is positive for TB bacilli may spread the disease to about 10-15 people each year
How is TB spread to other people?
TB is spread through air from one person to another. The bacteria can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment and it can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing of a person with TB disease, and when it is inhaled by a person nearby. People with TB disease is most likely to spread it to people they spend time with every day. This includes family members, friends, and coworkers or schoolmates.
Who is affected by Tuberculosis?
TB affects all ages but is most common among those within the productive years 25-55 and is found to be more prevalent in men more than women. The prevalence rate is twice higher among the urban poor in Metro Manila compared to that of the general population.
TB prevalence is high among the malnourished, smokers, and diabetic group, and it includes other vulnerable populations such as People Living with HIV (PLHIV). TB is an opportunistic infection that occurs frequently and highly among people with a weak immune system.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of TB?
Signs and symptoms of TB are at least two weeks duration of any of the following: cough, unexplained fever, unexplained weight loss and night sweats, fatigue and loss of appetite.
There are cases where patients do not exhibit signs and symptoms but are positive for TB when they are screened and bacteriologically tested.
How to diagnose and treat TB?
TB is usually diagnosed through screening of employees during annual physical examination and requires rapid molecular diagnostic test for TB (e.g. Xpert MTB/Rif Test, Truenat) to confirm presence of active TB.
Depending on the type of TB bacteria (drug susceptible or drug resistant), the standard treatment regimen ranges from 6 to 20 months. Management of active and latent TB can be provided by your preferred healthcare provider. Anti TB drugs and follow up TB tests can be accessed for free in health centers and in selected private DOTS faciltiies.
How can you prevent TB in your workplace?
- Talk and consult a healthcare provider regularly
- Ensure good room ventilation
- Maintain a clean work environment
- Eat healthy and balance food
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
List of TB DOTS facilities and centers:
To know more about TB, please visit the nearest TB treatment facility in your workplace or barangay below:
