Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a highly communicable disease passed on to another when the infected person coughs, sneezes, spits, or talks without covering their nose and mouth. It is also related to poverty, malnutrition, and poor immune function. People infected with TB bacteria in the lungs experience symptoms such as a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer, pain in the chest, and coughing up blood. TB bacteria may also attack other organs of the body, like the kidney, spine, and brain that is generally characterized by fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, chills, fever, and sweating at night.
Worldwide, tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death with nearly 4,000 people dying and 30,000 people getting infected daily as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the Philippines, it has been projected that over 100,000 Filipinos may die of TB in the next five (5) years if disruption in regular TB services from consultation, testing, to treatment will not improve amidst the battle against COVID-19.
The link between nutrition and tuberculosis has long been recognized. Undernutrition makes TB worse, and vice versa. That is why the call for nutritional care and support is vital in the management of TB. An adequate diet containing all essential macro- and micronutrients is key to managing TB disease. Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, folic acid, and the minerals zinc, copper, selenium, and iron that are found in vegetables, fruits, meats, and dairy products play a role in improving the immune function. In addition, nutrition assessment (anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary) is important in providing an effective nutritional care and support. Identifying the severity of undernutrition at any stage of the disease would dictate the appropriate intervention needed. Addressing also the underlying and basic causes of malnutrition by linking food security programs and social protection services for people with active TB can contribute to effective adherence to treatment.
In this year’s theme for World TB Day: “Invest to End TB. Save Lives,” we hope everyone, from lawmakers, local chief executives, private sector, and ordinary citizens, can unite for stronger advocacy drive, increased funding, and more active engagement in stepping towards TB Free Philippines.
Written by: NO I Sean Frances P. Barredo
References:
Basic TB Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm#:~:text=Tuberculosis%20(TB)%20is%20caused%20by,with%20TB%20bacteria%20becomes%20sick
DOH, Partners Aim to Get TB Care Back on Track. Retrieved from https://doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/DOH-PARTNERS-AIM-TO-GET-TB-CARE-BACK-ON-TRACK#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20World%20Health,cases%20for%20every%20100%2C000%20Filipinos.
Guideline: Nutritional care and support for patients with tuberculosis. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/94836/9789241506410_eng.pdf
Nutrition & TB - Malnutrition, under nutrition, assessment. Retrieved from https://tbfacts.org/nutrition-tb/
