Tuberculosis is one of the contagious and potentially life-threatening and serious illnesses which can be transmitted through air. Tuberculosis usually strikes the lungs and at the contemporary, it can be cured and treated with the right antibiotics. Typical symptoms of tuberculosis are persistent cough that lasts more than 3 weeks and usually brings up phlegm, which in serious cases, may have blood. Patients may also exhibit tiredness or fatigue and night sweats.
Worldwide, tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death along with the leading cause from a single infectious agent (above HIV/AIDS). In 2019, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis worldwide where 5.6 million men, 3.2 million women and 1.2 million children affected by it. The illness is present in all countries and age groups. The Philippines has the highest TB incidence in Asia with 554 cases per 100,000 people, according to World Health Organization (WHO) report, and 74 Filipinos die of TB every day and it is among the top 10 causes of death in the country in the year 2019.
The country celebrates the National Tuberculosis Day on every 19th day of August of every year with the Proclamation No. 840 which also marks the birth anniversary of late President Manuel L. Quezon who died because of tuberculosis. The proclamation aims to reduce the incident of tuberculosis and TB-related morbidity and mortality in the country and directing Department of Health (DOH) in developing and implementing comprehensive national strategic plan in collaboration with various sectors to significantly reduce TB problems, including plans for high-risk groups, augment the current manpower involved in TB control and provide technical and logistical assistance to local government units and private sector as well.
Prevention of acquiring communicable diseases such as tuberculosis involves engaging in having a healthy lifestyle, practicing good nutrition, and having proper hygiene as the best precautionary measures. DOH is continually addressing and treating cases of tuberculosis to avoid further spread of illness. DOH Secretary, Dr. Francisco Duque once said “One TB case that we fail to find, and treat may spread the infection to at least 10 other people. The reservoir of undetected TB cases will further increase”.
Written by NO I Patriarca
References:
Decline in Reported TB Cases an Effect of the Pandemic – DOH (21 July 2020) https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/DECLINE-IN-REPORTED-TB-CASES-AN-EFFECT-OF-THE-PANDEMIC-DOH
Key Facts: Tuberculosis (14 October 2020) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis
Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines (Proclamation No. 840, s. 1996) https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1996/07/30/proclamation-no-840-s-1996/
Tuberculosis Overview https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tuberculosis-tb/
