Tuberculosis (TB) is commonly known as a lung disease, but it can affect any part of the body. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium which slowly destroys the tissue of the lungs – this is called pulmonary tuberculosis. Only TB of the lungs or throat can be (but are not always) infectious. All forms of TB are curable without lasting health implications if they are diagnosed and treated early enough.
SPREAD THE WORD, NOT THE DISEASE.
TB is (still) the top infectious killer worldwide, with 22,000 South Africans dying of TB in 2017. TB can be prevent and treated. Let’s spread the word and not the disease.
Tuberculosis – catchy but curable
Myth: People who are poor, or are heavy smokers, or consume alcohol are most at risk of being infected with TB Fact: TB can infect anyone, especially if they have [...]
TB Risk Assessment
It is World TB Day on 24 March and we care about your health and wellness. Do you think you, or a friend, may have TB? Ask yourself these [...]
World Tuberculosis Day
On 24 March we observe World Tuberculosis Day, which places the spotlight on this curable and preventable disease. Below is a list of some of the important facts about TB: [...]
Living with HIV and TB in the COVID-19 Crisis
With the global reach of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever for those who are living with HIV or TB to adhere rigidly to their ART [...]
Treating TB with the DOT System
DOT, or Directly Observed Therapy, is a system used to help treat patients with active Tuberculosis (TB). The DOT system helps people to stick to the correct schedule for taking [...]
Tuberculosis (TB) FAQs
These are the most frequently asked questions about tuberculosis. Question: What is tuberculosis? Answer: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease that affects the lungs but may attack other parts [...]
DOT for TB treatment
When treating persons with active TB disease, our country has adopted a system called DOT, which stands for directly observed therapy. This system helps TB patients to comply with the [...]
Tuberculosis in SA
Tuberculosis (TB) has been present in humans since antiquity. It has been found in the spines of Egyptian mummies dating from 3000 to 2400 BC and in prehistoric human skeletal [...]
FAQs about tuberculosis (TB)
These are the most frequently asked questions about tuberculosis. Question: What is tuberculosis? Answer: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease that affects the lungs but may attack other parts [...]
World Tuberculosis Day
World Tuberculosis Day, falling on March 24 each year, is designed to promote public awareness that tuberculosis today remains an epidemic worldwide, causing the deaths of about 1.4 million people [...]
Recognise tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is commonly known as a lung disease, but it can affect any part of the body. The bacteria are breathed in through the lungs, but can travel in [...]
Connection between tuberculosis and HIV
People infected with HIV (the virus that causes Aids) are more likely than uninfected people to get sick with other infections and diseases. Tuberculosis (TB) is one of these diseases. [...]