UNAIR NEWS – From January to March 2018, the number of Tuberculosis (TBC) patients handled by Universitas Airlangga Hospital (RS UNAIR) reached 92 patients. It is not a small amount.
Indonesia is ranked as the second country with the highest number of TB patients after India. Commemorating Tuberculosis Day which takes place every March 23, UNAIR Hospital provides seminars held in front of pulmonary clinic. In the seminar, besides giving the knowledge about TB disease, it was held to distribute masks to make people aware of the importance of health.
Pulmonary specialist Dr. Prastuti Asta Wulaningrum Sp. P., was very informative providing knowledge about TB disease. On the same occasion, all visitors were free to ask about TB.
Doctor Pras stated that most patients diagnosed with tuberculosis denied and could not believe that he was suffering from tuberculosis. Only a few knew that TB medicine is given free of charge. In some cases, continued Doctor Pras, people complained of coughing for months, but did not go to check. As a result, TB was diagnosed when it was severe.
“Some of the symptoms of tuberculosis is cough and fever that was not healing for more than two weeks,” she said.
In addition, she added, we should be worried when the weight dropped more than 5 kg without diet effort. That is one sign of tuberculosis.
TB transmission
TB germs can be transmitted in many ways. TB can be transmitted through direct interaction (talk), cough, sneeze, and also singing. Therefore, TB patients are required to wear masks whenever they are in the social environment.
Because the bacteria can be transmitted in a relatively easy way, there is a coughing ethic that the TBC patient must adhere to. Among them, covering the mouth with a tissue or handkerchief when coughing. They can also cover with an inner arm. They are not allowed to shake hands with others.
Exposure to direct sunlight can kill TB germs. Therefore, the lack of air circulation in a room makes TB germs to breed as the sun does not have access. People affected by tuberculosis should not spit carelessly.
“With spitting indiscriminately, the ground is not necessarily get direct sunlight. Germs does not necessarily die, “said Doctor Pras.
People who are infected with HIV or diabetes are encouraged to at least once a year to check themselves for the presence of TB germs because the two diseases are prone to cause tuberculosis.
Doctor Pras urged people not to hesitate to check themselves when they found symptoms similar to tuberculosis. So the disease can be treated and not trasmitted to others. TB drugs are given free of charge in hospitals or health services that work together with the health department. (*)
Author: Binti Q. Masruroh
Editor: Feri Fenoria
