Reaching the Urban Poor (RUP) Project - Malabon

TB and HIV

TB or Tuberculosis is an illness (i.e. disease) caused by bacteria that is breathed into the lungs. These bacteria can settle anywhere in the body; but we often hear about TB of the lungs. When the lungs are damaged by Tuberculosis, a person coughs up sputum (mucus from the lungs) and cannot breathe easily. Without correct treatment, a person can die from Tuberculosis.

The bacteria can then settle in the lungs for many years or for life. It can begin to multiply and can spread through the blood stream that causes the disease in other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, kidneys, spine and the brain.

Tuberculosis can be cured if the patient completes the prescribed treatment regimen; most likely from six to eight months.

A. Who is vulnerable to Tuberculosis?

Individuals who are risk of contracting and may develop TB disease includes:

The family and close contacts of the patients.
The elderly.
People with low income.
People with poor access to health care.
People who inject illicit or prohibited drugs.
People who live or work in certain settings such as nursing homes, prisons, shelters for homeless or treatment centers.
People with HIV.

B. Why is TB and HIV interconnected? People living with HIV are at extra risk of getting sick from TB because their body cannot fight off germs as well. If someone develops symptoms of coughing for than two weeks; coughing of blood, weight loss, fever or night sweats; it is important to get checked for TB. TB can be cured even in persons with HIV and AIDS.

“Before the final diagnosis, I was always dizzy and vomiting. Doctors said it was tuberculososis, but I strongly sensed that I was mis diagnosed” (Miguel, a Filipino PLHIV)

Source: www.pinoylifeguide.org

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