Communicable Diseases

Communicable Diseases
Tuberculosis (TB)
This is a disease caused by a germ which
can affect any part of the body such as
lungs, intestines, bones and joints, glands or
reproductive organs (uterus) in women. TB of
the lungs can be transmitted to others as the
patient has the germ in the sputum, which,
if transmitted to anyone in close contact, will
result in the person being infected with TB
lungs as well.
• If such a disease
is detected, the
person must
take actions to
ensure that they
will not spread
the disease
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The affected person usually has:
1. Persistent cough ejection of sputum.
2.Low-grade continuous fever.
3. Blood in the sputum.
4. Chest pain.
5. Loss of appetite, loss of weight.
If a person shows such symptoms for 2-4 weeks, then she/he has to be tested for
TB and confirmed by the health staff. THERE SHOULD BE NO DELAY. The sooner
the diagnosis is made, the sooner the treatment can start and the person will be
cured.
What should be done if one is diagnosed with TB lungs by a health staff?
Doctor’s advice must be strictly followed
6.After beginning treatment, even if one feels well, it is advised not to stop or
change medicines, unless the doctor suggests so.
7. One must not change the medicine or increase/decrease the dose. ONLY the
doctor can make these changes. If the medicines are not taken regularly and
in the correct doses, the germ slowly stops responding to the medicines and
it becomes very difficult to cure the person.
8. After treatment begins, some side effects
may be experienced. These generally
disappear over a period of time. If severe or
persistent, the doctor should be consulted.
The treatment should not be stopped
under any circumstance.
9.After starting the treatment, the sputum
will be tested as per advice of the doctor. It
may be free of the germ but this does not
mean the person is cured. The treatment
must be continued as advised by the
doctor.
10. One should eat nutritious healthy diet,
there is no food restriction.
11. Those who smoke should stop smoking
immediately and avoid being exposed to
second-hand smoke.
based on WHO