The non-profit organisation Right to Care has called on people to get tested for tuberculosis (TB).
This clarion call followed a recent spike in the number of TB patients.
South Africa is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of TB in the world.
According to a report, health facilities daily report about 30 000 new cases, while more than 4 100 people die from this disease every day.
South Africa’s high prevalence of HIV increases the number of people with active TB.?
Right to Care attributes the infection rate of TB in South Africa to a lack of knowledge about the disease and a low diagnostic rate.
Working with the National Department of Health, this organisation delivers treatment services for patients with HIV and TB, aids prevention and raises awareness among members of the public.
“While many people with TB do not know they have it due to an absence of symptoms, they are infecting those around them with this potentially deadly disease,” said Dr Thandi Dlamini-Miti, senior technical advisor at Right to Care.
“Even those with symptoms fail to come forward. Many do not believe that their symptoms could be serious or that they could have TB. This means that people are only presenting at facilities when they are already very sick with TB.”
She cited a lack of knowledge and awareness of TB symptoms as a reason for the increase of the disease in South Africa.
Symptoms of TB include chronic coughing, chest pain, a loss of appetite and weight, tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. People suffering from TB are also prone to coughing up blood and sweating at night.
According to Dlamini-Miti, too many people with these symptoms – especially men and youth – are not coming forward.
As men are more likely to be infected, this is a cause for concern.
“More men have TB than women. Women go to clinics because of their reproductive health needs and role in childbearing, but men do not to go. It is time that we encourage men to go to health facilities regularly and reach them in their communities,” said Dlamini-Miti.
“TB is curable and preventable, but you have to know you have it. Untreated TB is deadly. We encourage people go to a clinic to get tested if they have symptoms. While HIV is a major risk factor for TB, it is a misconception that only HIV-positive people get TB. TB is common in people who are HIV-negative too.”
Those with certain pre-existing health issues or comorbidities are at higher risk to contract TB.
- People at higher risk of TB include: people living with HIV, especially those who are newly diagnosed or not virally suppressed;) those living in the same house as someone who had or has TB;) anyone who has had active TB in the last two years;) those with diabetes;) residents of informal settlements; ) children under the age of five; ) those who are undernourished;) alcoholics;) smokers;) mineworkers;) prisoners; and) pregnant women.
