Tuberculosis (TB): The facts

What is TB?

TB is a disease caused by a germ called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The grem usually attacks the lungs, but can attack any part of the body, such as the kidney, spine and brain. If it is not treated properly, TB can kill.

How is TB spread?

TB is spread through the air from one person to another. The germs get into the air when someone with a TB infection coughs, sneezes or spits.

TB is curable

TB is totally curable. Medication is given which must be taken five days a week, for a period of six months.

Even if you feel better, you should continue taking the medication until your doctor advices you otherwise. It is also very important to take the nurse or doctor's advice and honour your appointments at the clinic. 

Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR-TB)

The symptoms of MDR-TB and ordinary TB are the same. If you have been coughing for more than 2 weeks and are losing weight, are tired and experiencing night sweats , you should go to the nearest clinic and ask to be tested. The test is free at all public clinics.

What is MDR-TB and how it is spread?

When ordinary TB treatment is not finished, TB germs develop resistance towards those pills and a person then has MDR-TB. MDR-TB is therefore a form of TB that does not respond to ordinary TB treatment and is more difficult to treat. An extended period of time is necessary to treat this type of TB, and part of this should be in hospital.

MDR-TB is as infectious as ordinary TB and someone who already has it may pass it on to others whom he is in close contact with. This is provided that the infected individual has what is called a productive cough (a cough that contains TB germs which are infectious). If you are infected with any form of TB, you must always cover your mouth when coughing to prevent lower the chances of spreading the disease.

What are the symptoms of MDR-TB?

The symptoms of MDR-TB and TB are the same. If you have been coughing for more than 2 weeks and are loosing weight, are tired and sweating at night you should visit your nearest clinic and ask to be tested for TB.

How long is the treatment for MDR-TB?

The treatment available for MDR-TB is not as strong as the treatment for ordinary TB, therefore more pills and a longer time (up to 24 months) are necessary to cure all the MDR-TB germs. It is important that one does not miss any treatment, otherwise all the MDR-TB germs will not be cured and MDR-TB can return and make you even sicker. It may also develop into a more resistant strain of TB.

Even if you are feeling well you must not stop taking pills until the nurse says you are well and can stop with the treatment.

 Extreme Multi-Drug Resistance ( XDR-TB)

When a person with TB is not treated adequately or defaults treatment, they develop resistance to the medicines used to treat TB and develop MDR. The same applies to XDR-TB, where someone who has defaulted from that treatment may develop an extreme drug resistance.

This means that person infected with XDR-TB is resistant more drugs than one who is infected with MDR-TB.

What are the risk factors for transmission of XDR-TB?  

The risk of becoming infected increases if an uninfected person spends long periods of time in the same room as an infectious person. The risk of spread is reduced if infectious people are started on proper treatment.

Can XDR-TB be cured?

XDR-TB can be cured. However, successful outcomes depend highly on the extent of drug resistance, severity of the disease and whether the patient's immune system is compromised.

Compliance to treatment until completion of the course is crucial with any strain of TB to prevent resistance to he drugs.

How can a person avoid getting TB?

The majority of people with normal immunity may never get TB, unless they are heavily exposed to infectious individuals who have not been started on treatment, are on inadequate treatment, or who have been on treatment for less than a week.  People who are immuno compromised for whatever reason, and are in close contact with a TB patient, are more likely to get TB and develop the disease.

To avoid spreading the infection to others, TB patients should practice good hygiene, such as covering the mouth when coughing and to avoid spitting.

The chances of being infected with XDR-TB are lower than with ordinary TB because XDR-TB is very rare. If you live or work with a person who has been diagnosed with XDR-TB and have symptoms of TB, you should go to your clinic and request to be tested.