Eunice Fomenky and Constance Lombe*
14 September 2008
People who suspect that they might be suffering from tuberculosis, TB, have been advised to go to the nearest hospital or health centre for consultation and examination of their sputum.
The Southwest Coordinator of the Tuberculosis Control Program, TCP, Dr. Matilda Ayukonchong Akoh Arrey, made this call at a workshop that held recently at the Provincial Delegation of Public Health.
She urged people who might have been coughing for at least three weeks with fever, loss of weight, sweating at night, chest pain, and have blood in their sputum to test for TB.
According to Dr. Ayukonchong Akoh, the sputum test costs just FCFA 1000.
After diagnosis, "you get free treatment for six to eight months to be completely cured. It is also advisable to go for consultation after every two months." She said persons cured for tuberculosis should inform others of the effectiveness of the treatment.
In addition, she said TB patients on treatment are no more contagious and so family members should take proper care of them.Tuberculosis, she said, is an air-borne disease that results in strong cough with blood and affects the lungs.
Dr. Ayukonchong says since TB is contagious one must close his/her mouth with their hands while coughing to prevent the germ from spreading to anybody nearby."Protect yourself and others," said Dr. Ayukonchong.
She also said the relationship between tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS is that an HIV/AIDS patient with TB is more affected in the immune system and so results in sudden death if not properly controlled.
She added that the only ways for prevention are early detection, complete treatment and BCG vaccination for new-born babies.Dr. Ayukonchong called on community members to join the health personnel in the fight against TB.
(UB Journalism Students On Internship)
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