One TB patient hospitalized

(CNS):  A single Tuberculosis patienthas been identified and hospitalized, the Public Health Department has reported. Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran Kumar says PHD is taking aggressive clinical measures to test all close contacts to the patient, and anyone testing positive for TB infection will be offered appropriate treatment. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccinations, which protect against TB, are routinely given to babies at 6 weeks as part of the Public Health Department’s inoculation programme.

According to Dr. Kumar, “Whilst TB is spread through the air from one person to another, for most people who breathe in TB bacteria and become infected, the body is able to fight the bacteria to stop them from growing and the condition is treatable with medication.”

Dr. Kumar reassures the public that measures have already been taken within the household and work environment of the affected patient to contain the TB virus. There is no indication to date that any other persons have Tuberculosis.

According to the British National Health Service website, Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection. It is spread by inhaling tiny droplets of saliva from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacteria responsible for TB.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis are very slow moving, so a person may not experience any symptoms for many months, or even years, after becoming infected.

TB primarily affects the lungs (pulmonary TB). However, the infection is capable of spreading to many different parts of the body, such as the bones or nervous system. Typical symptoms of TB include a persistent cough, weight loss and night sweats. Left untreated, an active TB infection can be potentially fatal because it can damage the lungs to such an extent that a person becomes unable to breathe properly. With treatment, a TB infection can usually be cured. Most people will need to take a long-term course of antibiotics, usually lasting for at least six months.

Countries with high numbers of HIV cases also often have high numbers of TB cases because HIV weakens a person’s immune system, which means that they are more likely to develop a TB infection.