Juma had always been a hardworking man. A carpenter by trade, he spent his days in his workshop, inhaling dust and wood shavings. When he developed a cough, he thought nothing of it. “Just the dust,” he reassured his wife.
But the cough didn’t go away. Weeks passed, then months. He lost weight. His nights were restless with fever and drenching sweats. His wife convinced him to see a doctor.
A sputum test and chest X-ray confirmed the diagnosis: tuberculosis (TB).
What is Tuberculosis?
TB is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other organs. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms of TB
- Persistent cough (lasting more than 3 weeks)
- Weight loss and fatigue
- Fever and night sweats
- Coughing up blood (in severe cases)
Management and Treatment
TB requires strict adherence to a long-term treatment plan:
- Anti-TB medication: A combination of antibiotics taken daily for 6 months or more. Missing doses can lead to drug-resistant TB, which is harder to treat.
- Isolation in early stages: To prevent spreading the infection.
- Proper nutrition: Strengthening the immune system.
Prevention Strategies.
- BCG vaccination (especially for children in high-risk areas).
- Good ventilation to reduce airborne transmission.
- Early screening for individuals in close contact with TB patients.
Juma committed to his treatment, never missing a dose. After six months, he was cured, but he never took his health for granted again. Some diseases hide in plain sight, but early action can save lives.