A Future Without Tuberculosis ( TB )

Tuberculosis (TBC) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.TB), which generally affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but this bacterium also has the ability to infect other organs (extrapulmonary TB). Mycobacterium tuberculosis is rod-shaped, resistant to sour, dies with sunlight.

Here are some ways to prevent Tuberculosis (TBC), namely:

• Prevent TB Transmission

• Healing the sick

• Apply cough etiquette

• Maintain cleanliness, do not spit/phlegm carelessly

• Room / house with good air circulation and sunlight can enter

There are 3 factors that determine the spread of M.TB bacteria, namely:

1. The number of organisms released into the air

2. The concentration of organisms in the air, determined by the volume of space and ventilation

3. Long time a person breathes contaminated air

Then, one cough can produce up to 3,000 droplets and one sneeze can produce up to 1 million droplets. Meanwhile, the dose needed for a TB infection is 1 to 10 bacilli.

Tuberculosis (TB) is not transmitted through:

1. Cutlery : Washed thoroughly with soap

2. Clothes: Washed with soap and ironed

3. Mattress: The room must be exposed to sunlight and the mattress is routinely dried in the sun

Several things can prevent tuberculosis (TB), including:

• Get regular exercise

• Eat nutritious food

• BCG immunization in infants

•  Do not smoke

• TB preventive treatment

The following people are at high risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), namely:

1. Children

2. People with HIV/AIDS

3. Elderly people

4. People with diabetes mellitus

5. Smokers

6. Close contact or household contact with tuberculosis (TB) patients

Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), namely:

1. Cough > 2 weeks

2. Cough with phlegm

3. Coughing up phlegm can be mixed with blood

4. May be accompanied by chest pain

5. Shortness of breath

Other symptoms include:

Weakness, Weight loss, Decreased appetite, Chills, Fever, Sweats at night.
 

Following is the diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TBC), namely:

• CLINICAL SYMPTOMS

• BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION or MANTOUX TEST IN CHILDREN

• Can be added with:

• X-ray examination

• BLOOD EXAMINATION

Treatment of Tuberculosis (TBC), namely:

DRUG SENSITIVE TB

§ Treatment using a combination of 4 kinds of drugs

§ Treatment duration is 6 months

§ Divided into 2 phases, namely the intensive phase / initial phase and advanced phase

§ Intensive phase / initial phase for 2 months

§ Follow-up phase for 4 months

DRUG RESISTANT TB

§ Treatment using a combination of 5-7 kinds of drugs

§ Duration of treatment 9-20 months

§ Divided into 2 phases, namely the intensive phase / initial phase and advanced phase

§ Intensive phase / initial phase for 4-8 months

§ Continuation phase for 5-12 months

If Hermina's friend wants to consult regarding pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) or has other complaints with a pulmonary specialist, for further information, along with schedules and registration, please call 0821-3552-2454.