Tuberculosis

What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB), is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.5 million people died from the disease in 2020. A bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes TB. A variety of TB strains exist, and some of these have become resistant to medication.

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is a serious disease that mainly affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body. It is caused by a bacteria called

Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks.

Why should Africans be concerned?

  • Africa carries a heavy burden of TB. According to the world health organization (WHO), in 2021, over 2.5 million Africans were infected with TB, and nearly 500,000 people died from it.
  • TB is more common in overcrowded areas, including slums, prisons, refugee camps, and places with poor ventilation.
  • The disease is also deadlier when combined with HIV/AIDS, which weakens the body’s ability to fight infections. Sadly, more than 70% of people living with TB in Africa also have HIV.
  • Malnutrition, poverty, and poor healthcare access make TB harder to control in many African communities.

How do you get TB?

TB bacteria spread from person to person through the air. This means you can get infected by breathing in tiny droplets when an infected person:

  • Coughs
  • Sneezes
  • Speaks
  • Sings

However, not everyone who gets infected with TB bacteria falls sick immediately. Some people have latent TB, meaning the bacteria are in their body but are not making them sick yet.

How common is TB in Africa?

  • TB is one of the top 10 causes of death in Africa.
  • The countries with the highest TB rates include South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Drug-resistant TB is on the rise, making it harder to treat.

Symptoms of tuberculosis?

If TB becomes active, it causes serious health problems. Common symptoms include:

TB in the lungs (pulmonary TB)

  • A cough lasting more than 3 weeks
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain or difficulty breathing
  • Severe night sweats
  • Weight loss and loss of appetite

TB in other parts of the body

  • Spinal TB: Back pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness
  • Kidney TB: Bloody urine and kidney failure
  • Brain TB: Headaches, confusion, or seizures

Who is at risk?

Anyone can get TB, but certain people are at higher risk, including:

  • People living in crowded conditions (slums, prisons, refugee camps)
  • Those with weak immune systems (HIV/AIDS patients, malnourished individuals, and people with diabetes or cancer)
  • Heavy smokers and alcohol users
  • People in regions with high TB cases like sub-Saharan Africa

How is TB diagnosed?

If you have symptoms, visit a health center immediately. A doctor may recommend:

  • A skin test to check for TB bacteria
  • A chest X-ray to see if TB is affecting your lungs
  • Sputum test (testing phlegm for TB bacteria)

Can TB be treated?

Yes! TB is curable, but treatment must be taken exactly as prescribed.

  • TB treatment involves taking a combination of antibiotics for 6 to 9 months.
  • If you stop taking the medicine before finishing the treatment, the TB may come back stronger and harder to cure (this is called drug-resistant TB).

TB and HIV: A deadly combination?

TB is the leading cause of death among people with HIV/AIDS. If you are HIV-positive, regular TB check-ups and preventive treatment can help keep you safe.

Can TB be prevented?

Yes! Here’s how to protect yourself and your loved ones:

Get vaccinated: The BCG vaccine is given to newborns to help protect against severe TB.

Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Ventilate your home: Fresh air helps reduce TB bacteria.

Avoid close contact with people who have active TB.

Eat a healthy diet to keep your immune system strong.