TB: A REALITY THAT ONE CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE

IN recent months, a couple of elderly folk I know have been diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB.)

Initially when I heard about it, I was shocked. These are people who are aged 70 and above. I thought TB was most prevalent in a certain agegroup; the age-group that is active and productive. I thought it was more prevalent in those with underlying conditions such as HIV. I thought all sorts of things. In fact I thought I knew a bit about TB.

But guess what; parents and grandparents can also get TB. Those who are HIV negative can also get TB. Yes they can; although HIV makes one more susceptible to TB infection. So we better take it seriously.

The difference among these cases I am referring to is that in three of them; the families of the patients ran around to get x-rays done and to get their beloved commenced on TB treatment and they are actually getting better everyday; while those who denied the diagnosis and ignored medical advice lost their beloved.

So by accepting that their elderly parents and grandparents could actually get TB and had TB; three families saved their loved ones’ lives. As much as they were bewildered about the possibility of their parents and grandparents being said to have TB; they followed medical advice and their relatives are now on the mend.

I know TB is not a sexy subject. In an era where many of us are only excited in sexy or scandalous subjects; we tend to overlook critical issues that are about our well-being in favour of scandalous and salacious headlines. I am writing today well after World TB Day was commemorated on March 24 because I believe TB and all matters to do with health are critically important.

TB is a killer disease that is one of the major causes of death in the country. It is estimated that about 30, 000 people fall ill of TB annually in this country and about 4,600 of these die.

Zimbabwe also appears on the list of 14 countries designated by the World Health Organisation as High TB Burden countries. The country appears on all three lists of WHO 30 high burden countries for TB, TB/ HIV and multi-drug resistant TB.

So sexy or not; this is a subject we need to speak about and keep at the top of our minds and agenda as a country.

At a time when the whole world is focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, some health issues are in danger of being forgotten and one of those is TB. Hence my decision to remind us all that we cannot afford to forget about TB.

Anyone can get it even though some people due to issues of immunity suppression are more susceptible to it.

In the cases out I am talking about involving the elderly folk I mentioned; the patients whose families took seriously the TB issue are recovering. One of them, a grandfather of 12 who had been coughing badly for some time and who kept losing weight is now picking up weight; eating better and not coughing as much.

In the other case; the granny of eight who had also been coughing for months and had become so small that her 12 year old grandchild was heavier than her; is getting better.

Her family is marvelling at the improvement they have seen since their beloved parent was commenced on TB treatment.

One of the daughters was telling me how impressed she is at the follow up by the medical authorities. Apparently her mother is monitored in terms of weight gain and other issues. Contact tracing is also carried out with those who are looking after the TB patients and living with them; especially children under five being given some preventives.

Yes; with TB, contact tracing is carried out where the caregivers and families of the patients are also safeguarded as TB can spread.

While TB medicines are said to be cumbersome due to the number of pills one has to take daily for six months; there have been improvements and modifications with new pills being introduced recently.

I got the opportunity to speak to one of the grannies on TB treatment Mrs Netty Maposa (not her real name) and she said she was so thankful to her children for convincing her to get treatment and submit her samples for TB testing as well as taking her for an X-ray even as they waited for the results.

“My children took me to my doctor and he ordered an X-ray. Because of that X-ray I was commenced on TB treatment even before the results came out because my lungs were badly affected by the TB,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude to the team at Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital for treating her nicely as well as the staff at her local clinic where she is now collecting her medicines from.

“Initially I was so shocked. I wondered where I could have got TB from at my age. Even my children were bewildered. At some point I shouted at them and accused doctors of lying because I did not want to accept that I could have TB. But the doctor at Nazareth calmed me down and now that I am in my third month of treatment I feel so much better.

“Because so many people visit me; I think someone passed it to me so it is a possibility for any other elderly person. Before getting treatment, I had so many aches all over the body and was not aware that this was a result of TB. But now most of them have disappeared. Let’s be more open to treatment.,” she said.

And indeed; unfortunately two elderly folk lost their lives after their families dismissed the TB diagnosis saying it was false. For them; it was inconceivable that their parents and grandparents could have TB. So they did not react fast enough.

I write today to remind you that TB is real and it is there amongst our communities. It may not be a sexy or scandalous issue for you but it is a health issue that must remain on the agenda. There are many people dying of TB in communities today.

However with treatment; lives do not have to be lost. With knowledge; lives do not have to be lost. With acceptance and embracing what health authorities say; lives can be saved.

With increased health seeking behaviour; where people go in to get tests done rather than staying at home while wasting; we will save lives.

Let’s spread the word.