Frequently Asked Questions
Is TB curable?
Yes, TB is curable even in the presence of HIV
However TB can be deadly if ignored
Does having TB mean I have HIV or visa versa?
No, though TB is most common in people living with HIV due to their compromised immune system(s) not everyone with HIV will get TB and not everyone with TB is HIV positive
Does TB only infect the lungs?
No, TB can affect other parts of the body (extra pulmonary TB) but the TB of the lungs (pulmonary TB) is the most common type of TB
Pulmonary TB or TB of the lungs is the most contagious and the easiest to spread from person to person
How does TB spread?
When someone who is infected with TB sneezes, coughs ( without covering their mouth) or spits, tiny droplets which contain TB, the germs fly out and are breathed in by other people-thereby infecting them too
How is TB diagnosed?
TB can be diagnosed through clinical symptoms, a sputum sample, a chest X-ray or a skin test (which is usually done for children)
When two or more of the signs and symptoms are detected, you must go to your nearest clinic
You will be examined by a nurse or a doctor
You will be asked to cough and spit into a jar ( sputum bottle)
The sample in the jar will be sent for testing and the results will be made available in 1-3 days depending on your province
How long does treatment take?
TB treatment can take 6 to 8 months, depending on whether you are a first time or a recurrent TB sufferer
Why is treatment important?
TB is a deadly but curable disease
Treatment stops the spread of TB
Completed treatment prevents the emergence of MDR and/or XDR TB which are difficult forms to treat
TB can be cured even in the presence of HIV; therefore it is not a death sentence
What is MDR and XDR TB?
MDR stands for Multi Drug Resistant TB
This is a most severe and difficult to treat form of TB
MDR often occurs when patients start treatment but don\'t complete it and the infection returns stronger than the medicine initially given.
The germ becomes immune to the normal TB treatment
