What is TB or Tuberculosis?
•TB is an infectious disease, officially Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, that is spread through droplet infection by breathing infected air into the lungs.
•It can affect other organs as well eg brain, kidneys, lymph glands, spleen, bones etc.,
•Most people are able to fight this infection but in some it develops into TB disease.
•TB, first infection, is curable if all treatment is taken for at least 6 months.
Who is at risk?
•Everybody that is alive and therefore breathing.
•Close contacts of TB patients
•People with addictions – alcohol or drugs
•Diabetics and cancer patients
•Smokers
•People with poor immune systems such as those with HIV, or more recently, Covid.
Symptoms of TB
•Coughing – persistent for more than 2 weeks
•Loss of appetite, loss of weight
•Chest pains – sharp or dull on and off
•Night sweats even when it is cold
•Fever – High fever on and off
•Fatigue – tiredness or weakness of the body
Breathlessness
Diagnosis of TB Lung Disease?
•Sputum test – first at a clinic and 2nd first thing in the morning, before eating or brushing teeth or having any liquids.
•This 2nd specimen must be taken to the clinic for testing.
•X-Rays done at a clinic or hospital may show the results of TB but cannot accurately determine if the TB is still active.
•Children can have a skin test done by a nurse or doctor
•If a person has been diagnosed as positive for TB, all children under 5 who have been in close contact with that person should be examined and if necessary treated.
•Other forms of TB are more difficult to diagnose.
Treatment of TB
•First time TB patients are treated with a 4 drug combination for 2 months – the Intensive phase, followed by 4 months of a 2 drug combination – the Continuation phase.
•The amount of tablets depend on the body weight of the infected person.
There can be side effects from taking TB medication, please report these to the clinic or to your doctor.
TB Drugs
•Rifampicin (R)
•Isoniazid (H) INH
•Pyrazinamide (Z) PZA
•Ethambutol (E)
•Streptomycin (S)
•Rifafour a combination of 4 of the above
•Myrin Plus
•Refinah
TB Disease can be prevented IF?
•We cure all those who have TB disease.
•Cover our mouth when coughing or sneezing.
•Avoid careless spitting.
•Wash hands regularly.
•Spend time outdoors.
•Air mattresses and pillows and blankets in the sun.
•Open windows at home and where possible at work.
•Avoid alcohol and smoking.
Why the Cross of Lorraine?
The Lorraine-cross is a double-barred cross. Originally both of the arms had the same length. Later the upper arm has been reduced to a shorter length. This may be taken as the wooded sign placed by Pilatus over the head of Jesus on the cross, showing the letters "INRI".
This cross is called the true cross (crux vera).
A double-barred cross of this kind was said to be used in the year 800AD by Christian sects in the Orient.
Godefroy de Boullion, Duke of Lorraine, flew this cross in his standard when he took part in the capture of Jerusalem in 1099 during the first crusade.
Later this kind of cross was attributed to him and his successors.
In recent times the Lorraine cross was used by General de Gaulle as a symbol of freedom in the French resistance during the 2nd World War.
On October 23rd 1902, at a conference in Berlin, Germany,the Lorraine cross was chosen as the symbol of the global
fight against tuberculosis.
When Dr. Gilbert Seciron, submitted his proposal, he said "The red double-barred cross being a symbol of peace and
brotherly understanding will bring our message to faraway places. Use it every day as a sign of your combat against
tuberculosis and your mission will be successful defeating this uninvited guest that decimates our rows, and thus
drying the tears of the suffering mankind."
Today the Lorraine cross is the symbol of the global fight against tuberculosis and lung diseases.