Undiagnosed TB cases driving infections
TUBERCULOSIS (TB) is curable with the proper treatment, and undiagnosed TB is driving transmission, say health experts as the globe commemorates World TB Day.
World TB Day is commemorated annually on March 24 to raise public awareness about TB and strengthen efforts to prevent its spread. South Africa has one of the highest rates of TB in the world.
Dr Thandi Dlamini-Miti, the senior technical advisor: TB at health non-government organisation Right to Care, said undiagnosed TB cases were driving the transmission of the disease.
“Many people with TB don’t know they have it because they don’t have symptoms, but they are infecting those around them with this potentially deadly disease. Even those with symptoms are not coming forward, especially men, younger people and those who battle to get to healthcare facilities. Many don’t believe that their symptoms are serious or that they could have TB. This means that people are only presenting at facilities with TB when they are already very sick,” Dlamini-Miti said. She added that untreated TB was deadly.
“TB is curable and preventable, but you have to know you have it. Untreated TB is deadly. While HIV is a major risk factor for TB, it is a dangerous misconception that only HIV-positive people get TB. TB is common in people who are HIV-negative, too,” she said.
According to the Clinton Health Access Initiative (Chai), it is important to understand that in healthy people, infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis often has no symptoms; this is called latent TB infection.
“Given the high rate of TB in South Africa, there is an urgent need to curb continuing infection, but the means of communication used to help in effecting TB screening and testing must be changed if we are to have a generally healthier society,” Chai said.
According to the initiative, stigma and discrimination associated with TB were among the greatest barriers to preventing care-seeking, and as result, cause further infections. This means that people living with TB do not access adequate care, support, or treatment in time.
“I experienced stigma, even from family and friends. But I had to educate people around me because, unfortunately, most people still think people who contract TB are HIV-positive. I lost weight. And when people see you losing weight and coughing, they stigmatise you,” said Valentine Plaatjie-Dlamuka, who was diagnosed with TB in 2018.
Plaatjie-Dlamuka said that when she got diagnosed, she did not know where to start.
“The nurse at the clinic sat me down and explained to me that it’s not the end of the world, as long as I took my medication and led a healthy lifestyle. TB is not a death sentence. It’s curable. Go for check-ups and don’t default. Eat right and surround yourself with positive people,” she said.
Dr Thulaganyo Motaung emphasised that TB was curable with the right treatment.
“Adherence to treatment is important, with proper follow-ups as the treatment is long – six months most of the time, unless it is a resistant infection. In that case the treatment is usually nine to 12 months,” Motaung said.