What YOU can do to help stop TB

LIFESTYLE NEWS - Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is a curable condition that tragically remains a leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent worldwide.

However, with proper treatment adherence, TB can be beaten, as a pharmacist from South Africa’s first national courier pharmacy explains.

“While not everyone falls ill with TB, the World Health Organization estimates that one in four people globally has been infected, although only 5 to 10% will develop the disease and become contagious,” says pharmacist Patrick Malamule of Medipost Pharmacy.

“Everyone has a potentially life-saving role in helping to beat TB through being aware of the common symptoms and the importance of finishing the full course of treatment if diagnosed,” he says.

“The germs responsible for TB, mycobacterium tuberculosis, most commonly affect the lungs but can sometimes take hold in other parts of the body. TB is spread from one person to another in close contact when tiny droplets are released into the air if someone with untreated TB of the lungs or larynx coughs, sneezes, talks or sings, or during certain aerosol-producing medical examinations.”

The most common symptoms of TB include:

Persistent cough lasting two weeks or more (especially for people living with HIV)

Fever for more than two weeks
Night sweats
Unexplained weight loss (> 1.5kg in a month)
Blood-stained sputum
Pleuritic pain: A sharp pain in the chest when coughing, sneezing or breathing
Generally feeling unwell and fatigued

“If you or someone in your household is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to test for TB so that treatment can start as soon as possible to prevent the illness from progressing further.

"Fortunately, today, TB can be cured with a full uninterrupted course of prescribed treatment, and once the person begins treatment, it prevents transmission to others,” Malamule says.

More than a lung disease

Extra-pulmonary TB (EPTB) is TB that is not in the lungs and in addition to the above, may also include symptoms or pain specific to the affected organs, bone or tissue.

“EPTB can affect the lymphatic system, the bones and joints, the heart, or cause TB meningitis, which affects the brain. TB infection can also take hold in the pleural fluid of the lining between the lungs and chest walls, usually on one side only. Disseminated or miliary tuberculosis affects multiple organs at the same time, such as the brain, liver, spleen, bones, spine, intestines, bladder and prostate,” Malamule explains.

Treatment: Finish the course

Non-complicated TB treatment lasts six months with two phases: the intensive phase of treatment for the first two months and the continuation phase of treatment for a further four months.

“During the intensive phase of treatment, patients receive a four-drug combination of oral medication, followed by a continuation phase with two active compounds,” he says.

“Multi-drug-resistant TB [MDR-TB] treatment has a longer duration, usually 18 months in total. The first six months is the intensive phase, which requires injectable treatment, followed by 12 months of oral medication.”

Malamule points out that people often start feeling much better after a few weeks or months of TB treatment. “Even if you no longer have symptoms, the TB needs to be completely cleared from your body, otherwise it can come back and it will be harder to treat than before,” he says.

“When treatment is disrupted, or people with uncomplicated TB don’t complete the full course of treatment, this can cause MDR strains of TB to evolve. It is therefore important to follow your treatment plan, every day, exactly as your doctor prescribes.”

Malamule says that if a person experiences side effects while on treatment, these should always be discussed with the pharmacy team and can often be managed simply with non-prescription medications such as those available for delivery with your monthly medication.

“It’s also important to note that some common TB medications can cause vitamin B6 deficiency, which, if not addressed, could potentially lead to nerve damage. Supplementation with vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is often recommended during TB treatment to prevent this. Other vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as probiotics, might be included in the treatment, depending on your individual needs as advised by your treating doctor or pharmacist,” he says.

“Anyone can get TB, especially if your immune system becomes weakened. Support from family members and healthcare professionals is invaluable throughout TB treatment.

“Education and awareness are vital for prevention and appropriate treatment of TB. At Medipost Pharmacy, we strive to provide a comprehensive service, including dispensing, delivery and clinical telephone support in the patient’s mother tongue, and confidential delivery so only the person it is addressed to needs to know what’s inside the parcel.”

Pharmacist Patrick Malamule.