Of all types of tuberculosis (TB/TB) ranging from common to rare, there is always a myth surrounding it. One of them is the assumption whether TB is contagious or not. In fact, TB patients can only transmit the disease if the bacteria are in the throat or lungs.
Meanwhile, if the bacteria that cause tuberculosis are located in other body parts such as the kidneys or spine, there is very little chance of transmission.
Myths About Tuberculosis
There are so many myths about TB disease that develop due to limited understanding. Moreover, there is still a long way to go until the medical world can eliminate this disease because many patients are resistant to TB treatment.
Although it has been around for thousands of years, here are some myths about tuberculosis that need to be cleared up:
- Myth: TB is hereditary disease
There are so many assumptions that tuberculosis is a hereditary disease from parents to offspring. This misconception may start because people who live together often suffer from the same disease. In fact, this happens because bacteria more easily infect one person and another.
TB disease can be transmitted to other people through the air. A person can get TB if they have close contact for several hours with a patient.
However, the good news is that asymptomatic latent TB patients cannot infect other people. This disease can be contagious if the patient has not received treatment.
Bacteria that reside in body parts other than the lungs, have a low tendency to infect other people. In addition, TB patients also no longer transmit the disease after 2-3 weeks after receiving medical treatment.
- Myth: TB disease cannot be cured
TB disease is highly treatable. The most common treatment for latent TB infection is the antibiotic isoniazid. Patients need to take this drug every day for 6-9 months.
Meanwhile, for individuals with active infections, doctors will prescribe a combination of antibacterial drugs as long as they need to be consumed for 6-12 months. usually, the combination is isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol.
- Myth: Only happens in poor countries
Make no mistake, tuberculosis can occur all over the world, even in developed countries though. However, WHO records in 2019 as many as 44% of new TB cases occurred in Southeast Asian countries. Examples include India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and South Africa.
–
