Johannesburg - Behind HIV and Aids, tuberculosis is one of South Africa's deadliest diseases, with one-third of HIV patients dying from TB a year.
March is TB Awareness Month, and according to the World Health Organisation, around 9.4 million people are diagnosed with TB every year. Of those, the WHO estimates that at least 450 000 cases of TB are diagnosed annually in South Africa, with about 270 000 people having both HIV and TB infection.
ER24 medical practitioner Dr Vernon Wessels explained that TB is an infectious disease that spreads through the air.
“It's caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is spread when someone who has active tuberculosis coughs, sneezes or spits. The bacterium is then inhaled by another person,” he said.
Wessels added that although TB is contagious, it is not easy to catch. “A person is more likely to get TB from someone they live or work with than from a stranger.
“Most people with active TB are no longer contagious if they've had appropriate drug treatment for at least two weeks,” he said.
To stem the spread of TB, this year's TB awareness campaign, “Haibo Wena! (Hey You!) Use Your Elbow” was launched at the beginning of this month.
The “Use Your Elbow” initiative helps to educate communities across the country about the prevention of airborne TB germ transmissions by using your elbow to cover your mouth when you cough.
The campaign was established by Good Business and Saatchi & Saatchi SA, with the support of a grant to Good Business from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The advocacy, communication and social mobilisation co-ordinator at the TB/HIV Care Association, Caroline Walker, said TB usually affects the lungs, but it can affect other parts of the body.
“People who are HIV-positive, diabetic, malnourished or smokers have a higher chance of developing TB. Many people have latent TB. They have the TB germ but their immune system protects them from its spread,” Walker said.
She explained that latent TB is not infectious but there is a 10 percent risk of developing active TB if a person has latent TB. “If your immune system is not strong enough, you can develop active TB,” she said.
Walker added that TB is the most common cause of death among HIV-positive adults in South Africa.
“The high co-infection of TB and HIV in South Africa is the reason why the TB/HIV Care Association works on integrating TB and HIV services.”
When asked about health workers at risk, Wessels said healthcare workers have a higher risk of contracting TB due to the nature of their work as opposed to the general public because any patient could potentially have untreated TB.
“It is standard practice for healthcare workers to wear an N95 or FFP2 mask when treating TB patients, especially if the patient's response to treatment is unknown. “However, some N95 masks are fitted with an expiration valve to make it more comfortable for the wearer, as a person does not have to exhale through the filter material.
“This type of mask will not work if a TB patient wears it as their expired air with the TB germs would exit through the valve and into the atmosphere,” said Wessels.
He reminded healthcare workers that there is a greater chance of TB spreading in small spaces and overcrowded and poorly ventilated areas.
“If it is suspected that a patient has untreated TB, take them to an area where they will not be in close contact with other people, if possible.”
Anyone with possible TB symptoms should seek medical help immediately.