Depok (ANTARA) – The lung specialist at the University of Indonesia Hospital (RSUI) Dr. dr. RR Diah Handayani, Sp.P(K) reminded that cases of tuberculosis (TB) need to be watched out for during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decrease in the number of detected cases which was inversely proportional to the data on deaths due to TB. The COVID-19 pandemic case hampered the ‘tracing’ process and TB examination,” Diah Handayani said in a statement in Depok, Thursday.
Also read: Cianjur Health Office urges prevention of TB transmission
He said the TCM (Molecular Rapid Test), which is usually used to check for TB, was used to check for COVID-19. Untreated TB cases can increase the threat of death and the incidence of Drug Resistant TB (TB-RO).
In addition, Diah also explained about Drug Resistant TB (TB-RO). In a study conducted on 6 TB-RO patients, only 1 patient who did not have a family member at home was infected, this may be due to the separation of patient rooms in the house.
While the other 5 patients, more than 50 percent of their family members were infected with TB (because there was no separate room with these patients) and could suffer from TB-RO if their immunity was down at that time.
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