Tuberculosis

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF TB?

􀂙 A bad or persistent cough that

lasts 3 weeks or longer

􀂙 Pain in the chest, less sharp and

more achy, could be felt inhaling

or exhaling.

􀂙 Coughing up blood or sputum

􀂙 Weakness or extreme fatigue

􀂙 Weight loss is common

􀂙 Little or total lack of appetite

􀂙 Chills

􀂙 Fever

􀂙 Sweating at night

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN

EXPOSED TO TB

If you think you have been exposed to someone

with TB disease, you should contact your doctor

or local health department. Be sure to tell the

doctor or nurse when you spent time with the

person who has TB disease.

IS TB A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN

MALAYSIA?

Yes, it is still a serious health problem. However,

TB has started to decline in some States, with an

overall improvement since year 2000 as follows

HOW DOES TB SPREAD?

TB spreads from a person who has active TB.

When he coughs, sneezes or snores, TB

germs escape into the air.

Persons nearby breathe in the TB Germs

TB spreads to those who spend a lot of time

with a TB patient with active TB , such as

family members, friends, co‐workers, or

classmates

IS TB DISEASE CURABLE?

YES, WE NOW HAVE

POWERFUL DRUGS TO

TREAT TB.

NO!Because TB germs are tough germs

and it takes a long time TO KILL THEM ALL.

If a TB patient does not take the full course

of treatment as advised by the doctor, some

germs remain alive in the body, and start

attacking the lungs and other parts of the

body again.

This time the disease may become worse,

because when the treatment is not fully

completed , the TB germs become resistant

to some of the TB drugs.

CAN I STOP TAKING

MEDICINES IF I FEEL BETTER

NO!Because TB germs are tough germs

and it takes a long time TO KILL THEM ALL.

If a TB patient does not take the full course

of treatment as advised by the doctor, some

germs remain alive in the body, and start

attacking the lungs and other parts of the

body again.

This time the disease may become worse,

because when the treatment is not fully

completed , the TB germs become resistant

to some of the TB drugs.

TB PATIENTS MUST TAKE THE FULL COURSE OF

MEDICINES AS ADVISED BY THE DOCTOR

THIS MAY TAKE ABOUT 6 MONTHS