| Tubercolosis (also commonly known as TB), is an | | | | 2007 with new cases diagnosed of over 9 million |
| airborne contagious disease which usually affects the | | | | people! |
| lungs. The symptoms of the TB disease infecting the | | | | In efforts to eradicate this global deadly disease, the |
| lungs include coughing with sputum tinged blood, | | | | World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the |
| chest pains on exertion, fever, fatigue, weight loss, | | | | importance of proper health care systems and the |
| weakness, aches and chills. The treatment for | | | | need for effective primary heath care to address the |
| uncomplicated cases of tuberculosis is the | | | | TB epidemic. It includes integrated health care |
| anti-tuberculosis medication taken for the duration of | | | | systems involving the community such as the DOTs |
| six months. TB is caused by the bacteria known as | | | | (Directly Observe Treatment short course) strategy. |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis. | | | | This involves the caretakers or family members |
| TB is passed from person to person via tiny droplets | | | | staying with the patient watching the patient taking |
| of mucus or saliva containing the bacteria. If | | | | the medication on time and actually swallowing it. If |
| someone with a weakened immune system inhales | | | | the medication is not taken on time, or the patient |
| the tiny infected airborne droplets, the bacteria goes | | | | avoids the medication, this may cause the bacteria to |
| straight into the lungs and may cause serious illness | | | | become drug resistant and form a new strain. This |
| that can lead to death. | | | | strategy is found to be a very effective step to |
| TB is a real killer among people who have weakened | | | | ensure the compliance for the cure and eradication of |
| immune systems, especially patients who have | | | | the TB disease. An indoor air purifier can be installed |
| chronic lung disease or people who are HIV positive. | | | | in the home to minimize the number of airborne TB |
| It is a contagious disease that spreads through the | | | | bacteria in the air when the patient coughs, sneezes, |
| air and was declared a worldwide pandemic stage in | | | | talks or even breaths heavily. |