What do former president Manuel L. Quezon and movie actor Rene Requiestas have in common? Both died of tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body, such as the spine, brain, or kidneys.
Although it is considered a disease of the past, TB still poses a significant public health challenge in the Philippines, where approximately one million people are currently affected by active TB disease.
Our country ranks third globally in terms of TB prevalence, following South Africa and Lesotho. While TB is both treatable and preventable, failure to adhere to complete or consistent treatment regimens can result in drug-resistant TB or even fatalities.
Last March 24, the international community observed World Tuberculosis Day. The Geneva-based World Health Organization called for an urgent investment in resources to protect and maintain TB care and support services for people in need across regions and countries.
“Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 79 million lives since 2000,” the United Nations health agency said in a statement. “However, the drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding happening now are threatening to reverse these gains.”
Cough lasting for more than 4 weeks, low grade fever especially in the evening, night sweats, significant weight loss in the past six months and loss of appetite are major signs and symptoms of the disease.
“Someone with TB can only transmit the infection if they develop symptoms,” writes Tim Newman of Medical News Today. “This means that someone with a latent infection cannot transmit TB.”
Furthermore, TB can only be transmitted when the bacteria are located in the lungs or throat; if the bacteria are present in other areas of the body, such as the kidneys or spine, the likelihood of transmission is significantly reduced. Typically, individuals with TB cease to be infectious approximately 2 to 3 weeks after initiating treatment.
TB is a contagious disease; however, it does not transmit through direct physical contact. TB cannot be spread through shaking hands and touching bed linen or toilet seats. There are also sources which say you cannot transmit it through kissing and sharing toothbrushes.
Health experts say the transmission of TB occurs primarily through individuals who have active infections in their throat and lungs, as they can spread the bacteria to others through actions such as sneezing, coughing, talking, or singing.
It was once a common belief that tuberculosis was transmitted from parent to child; however, this notion is unfounded. This misunderstanding likely originated from the observation that individuals residing in the same household frequently contracted the illness. Current knowledge indicates that this occurrence is due to the close proximity in which they lived, facilitating the transmission of bacteria from one person to another.
Dr. Rudy Kurniawan Putra, a lung and respiratory specialist, explains that TB transmission is caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. “The splashes of saliva released when someone coughs, sneezes, or even just talks may transmit the bacteria,” he points out. “After that, another person inhales the released saliva. The high level of interaction within the family is the reason this disease is often transmitted through the family.”
On March 24, 1882, Dr. Robert Koch, a German microbiologist, announced his discovery of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. This significant finding laid the foundation for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Nearly 140 years later, the battle against TB continues.
Today, “many people are still unsure about the possibility of recovering from TB,” Dr. Putra points out. “The reason is that many people believe that there is no way to cure this disease.”
But in reality, 99% of those afflicted with tuberculosis can achieve recovery through standard treatment protocols within a timeframe of 6 to 9 months, despite the chronic nature of the disease which necessitates a prolonged healing process.
For patients diagnosed with an active infection, medical professionals typically recommend a regimen of antibacterial medications lasting between 6 to 12 months. A frequently utilized combination includes isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the Food and Drug Administration in the United States have approved 10 drugs that can treat TB.
For certain illnesses, such as measles and chickenpox, a single occurrence of the disease provides lifelong immunity. It was previously thought that individuals who had recovered from TB possessed some degree of immunity against future infections and illnesses.
However, it is now widely recognized within the medical community that individuals who have recovered from TB do not have significant protection against subsequent infections and diseases.
Health experts cautioned that if treatment is not adhered to consistently, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis may only be temporarily subdued, leading to the potential reactivation of the infection and the development of resistance to anti-TB medications. This situation is referred to as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, or MDR-TB.
The government is spending money to treat TB. TB treatment is free in public hospitals, clinics and health centers. But studies showed about 60% of Filipinos with TB go to private doctors for comfort and anonymity. They spend it on consultation, diagnostic tests and medicines.
“There is no reason that a person that has TB will not be treated,” said a health official.
