Tuberculosis (TB), Myths & Facts

Myth: Tuberculosis affects only the Lung.

Fact: Tuberculosis can target almost any part of the body, including joints, bones, urinary tract, central nervous system, muscles, bone marrow and lymphatic system. An infection in the lung is the most common since TB enters the body through air inhalation. But if left untreated, the bacteria may spread to other parts of the body.


Related Topics:
Tuberculosis (TB), Signs and Symptoms
Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment
Tuberculosis (TB), Lower Cases in the Philippines

Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment

Treatment



Treatment of TB requires 6 to 9 months of medication and ingesting several different drugs since the bacteria is difficult to kill. This is also the reason why several people stops and never finishes the medication thinking that they are already well upon seeing health improvements. However, your doctor is the best person to determine if you're already TB free or not.


6 months regimen for active TB consists of:

• 2 months with Rifater (isoniazid, rifampin and pyrazinamide)
• 4 months of isoniazid ans rifampin (Rifamate, Rimactane)
• ethambutol (Myambutol)

The doctor may also require all people in your household to undergo diagnosis for possible TB infection.


In the Philippines, consultation and medication of Tuberculosis is free on all local health centers and public hospitals.


Source: emedicinehealth.com
 
Related Topics:
Tuberculosis (TB) Signs and Symptoms
Tuberculosis (TB) Myth & Facts
Tuberculosis (TB) Lower Cases in the Philippines

Tuberculosis (TB) Signs and Symptoms

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis which was discovered by Dr. Robert Koch on March 24, 1882. If left untreated, a person with TB can face serious illness and possibly death specially for those with weakened immunity.

TB can spread from person to person by inhaling an infected air with bacilli. When a person with TB sneeze, cough, talk or spit, he can contaminate the air with bacilli bacterium.


Signs and Symptoms


A person may carry the disease for a long time with no symptoms, but for many people with tuberculosis the following signs and symptoms may be experienced.

• Cough lasting from 3 to more weeks which produces a discolored sputum
• Rapid unintended weight loss
• Profuse night sweating
• Tiredness and weakness
• In worst conditions, chest, back and kidney pains
• Sudden feeling of chills

If you're feeling any or most of the following symptoms and suspects that you have TB, consult your health practitioner for proper diagnosis. He may require that you undergo chest X-ray and provide sample of sputum for laboratory analysis.

Source: ayushveda.com, emedicinehealth.com


Related Topics:
Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment
Tuberculosis (TB) Myth & Fact
Tuberculosis (TB) Lower Cases in the Philippines

Tuberculosis, Lower Cases in the Philippines

The Department of Health (DOH) announced that there are lower cases of Tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines for this year's World Tuberculosis Day celebration. March 24, which marks the celebration for the date when Dr. Robert Koch discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis in 1882.

Today, after more than 100 years of its discovery, Philippines is still struggling to eliminate the deadly disease. We're currently on the 9th place among 22 countries that's still with cases of TB. The ranking is actually an improvement from last year's 7th place, but still translates to some 250,000 Filipinos with TB.

DOH encourages everyone who suspects himself to have the disease to visit their local health center's, where consultation and drugs are freely given.

Tuberculosis is a contagious lung disease that spreads through the air through coughing and sneezing of an infected person. It affects both young (called Primary Complex) and adults. The disease is currently on the top killer disease in the Philippines.


Related Topics:
Tuberculosis (TB) Signs and Symptoms
Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment
Tuberculosis (TB) Myth & Facts

Measles, Red Rashes Of Summer

What is Measles?

It's summer time again. The time of the year where viruses like Measles, also known as rubeola, are rampant. Just last month, some 570 cases of measles on children are reported all over the Philippines. This is even with vaccines against measles given free of charge on public health centers.

Signs and Symptoms
Being known for its red rash symptom, measles starts out as a hacking cough, a runny nose coupled with a high fever and a reddish eye. The red rash typically appears on forehead first then spreads its way to the face, neck, down to the rest of the body, arms and feet.


Is Measles Contagious?
Measles is highly contagious since this is a viral disease and spreads easily on the air. A person with measles is contagious from 1 to 2 days before symptoms start until about 4 days after the rash appears. The only way to avoid measles is to get vaccination.


Measles Vaccine
According to the Expanded Program on Immunization of the Philippines, children should get the Measles Vaccine (not MMR) upon reaching 9 months old. The vaccine is given in a single dose of 0.5mL.


MMR or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella immunization is also another vaccine that prevents measles. This is administered on kids between 12 to 15months old and again at 4 to 6 years old.


Treatment
There's no specific medicinal treatment for measles. Kids with measles should be given plenty of fluids and rest during the duration of the disease which lasts for about 2 weeks. If fever is high, a non-aspirin fever medication maybe given to children.


Infants and persons with disease that affects the immune system should immediately seek professional health.