UNAIR NEWS – Responding to the rising cases of Tuberculosis (TB) in Indonesia, JawaPos TV invited Doctor Rima Dwi Yanantika from UNAIR Healthcare Center (PLK UNAIR) to discuss the symptoms. The Sehat Pagi Show was aired on Monday, July 4, 2022.
In the beginning, Doctor Rima shared an overview of TB. Commonly known as lung spots, TB is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. “The bacterium could infect lungs and other organs outside the lungs. Bacterial infection on the lung is called Pulmonary tuberculosis,” said Doctor Rima.
There are three potential cases that occur post bacterial infection on the lung. First, when the infecting bacteria died due to a strong immune system.
Second, when a bacterial infection occurs to a body with a good immune system, which makes them sleep. It is known as dormancy. The condition is called Latent TB, where the bacteria can become active once the person’s immune system gets weakened. Therefore, TB Latent becomes the focus of the Government for advanced treatment. The third case occurs when the bacterial infection causes other symptoms. TB is activated due to a weak immune system.
Furthermore, Doctor Rima explained more about cough as the general symptom in TB patients. She emphasized that not every cough causes TB. “Cough due to TB is different from allergic cough. TB cough lasts more than a week, which requires sputum testing.”
Other symptoms of TB, she continued, include moderate grade fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, nausea, low appetite, and weight loss. “As for the shortness of breath, it might seem similar to asthma, but actually, they are different. While asthma was caused by narrow airways, TB was caused by bacteria. Both of them cause shortness of breath equally,” she said.
In the treatment, Doctor Rima said several stages are conducted, starting from sputum testing and rapid molecular testing (TCM), administering medications monitored by the medical personnel, and regular sputum monitoring.
“If you found the symptoms, see a doctor immediately. If you are diagnosed with TB and have taken medication but showing no progress, you should still see the doctor on a regular basis until you are fully recovered. Don’t stop the treatment midway,” she suggested.
Author: Leivina Ariani Sugiharto Putri
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
