Tuberculosis is contagious; cover your mouth when coughing – Public told

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious illness that mainly affects the lungs. The germs that cause tuberculosis are a type of bacteria.

Speaking on Plan B Fm’s family, relationship, and lifestyle show dubbed NYANSAPO FIE, hosted by Rev. Dr. Michael Asenso on the topic “TUBERCULOSIS” Madam Fafa Boadu a public health Nursing Officer from Tema Polyclinic together with madam Stella Affull Tema West Health directorate explained that, Tuberculosis can spread when a person with the illness coughs, sneezes, or sings. This can put tiny droplets with them into the air. Another person can then breathe in the droplets, and the germs enter the lungs.

She said Tuberculosis spreads easily when people gather in crowds or when people live in crowded conditions. People with HIV/AIDS and other people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of catching tuberculosis than people with typical immune systems.

The signs and symptoms of tuberculosis include Chills, Night sweats, Weight loss, Not wanting to eat, Tiredness and Not feeling well in general.

Madam Stella Affull Tema West Health directorate explained that there are several stages and forms of the disease which include, Primary TB. This is the first stage of tuberculosis infection. Your immune system may be able to fight off the germs. But sometimes it doesn’t destroy all of them, and they keep multiplying. You may not have any TB symptoms at this stage, or you might have a few flu-like symptoms.

Latent TB. You have germs in your body, but your immune system keeps them from spreading. You don’t have any symptoms, and you’re not contagious. But the infection is still alive and can one day become active. If you’re at high risk for reactivation, this usually happens if you have HIV, you had an infection, or your immune system is weakened Active TB. is when the germs multiply and make you sick. You can spread the disease to others. Some 90% of active cases in adults come from a latent TB infection.