Myths and facts about Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is the world’s oldest infectious disease. Kenya is one of the 30 countries with the majority of TB cases globally. To End TB in Kenya, there is a need to create awareness by among others busting the myths and misconceptions around the disease.

Myth 1: All persons with TB are HIV positive

Fact: The 2016 Kenya TB prevalence survey showed that 80% of TB patients were HIV negative hence a majority of TB patients are HIV negative. However, persons with low immunity due to HIV, diabetes, and some types of cancers are at a high risk of contracting TB.

Myth 2: You can get TB by sharing cutlery 

Fact: TB is not spread by sharing plates, cups, and or spoons. The disease is spread through droplets when a person with active TB disease and not on medication coughs, sings or sneezes. Most people with active TB who have had appropriate drug treatment for at least two weeks are no longer contagious

Myth 3: TB is hereditary

Fact: TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Family lineage plays no role as anyone can get attacked by the bacterium. The reason why it affects people of the same household is due to their close contact with an infected person who is not on treatment. 

Myth 4: TB is a disease of the poor

Fact: Anyone irrespective of their socioeconomic status can get the disease. Though the disease is common among low-income earners due to malnutrition and poor housing conditions as the TB bacteria thrives in poorly ventilated areas. No one is immune to TB.

Myth 5: TB is not curable

Fact: TB is a curable and treatable disease. TB treatment is readily available in Kenya and it is free in all government health facilities. To get cured of TB, you need to complete the entire course of treatment as advised by the health worker.

Myth 6: TB attacks only the lungs

Fact: TB mostly affects the lungs but it can also affect all other parts of the body apart from the hair, nails, and teeth. TB of the lung is known as pulmonary TB while that outside the lungs is extra-pulmonary TB.

Myth 7: You will be isolated if found to have TB

Fact: Once a TB patient begins treatment and observes cough hygiene by covering their coughs with a hand, elbow, clean handkerchief, or tissue there is a reduction in the risk of infection to their contacts hence no need of isolating them. With appropriate drug treatment for at least two weeks, TB patients are no longer infectious. 

Myth 8: If I am not coughing, I don’t have TB

Fact: Though a cough is the common symptom of pulmonary TB, the other common symptoms of the disease include fever, night sweats, unintended weight loss, loss of appetite, and swellings for extra-pulmonary TB. Go for regular TB screening to know your status.

Learn more about TB here: https://www.nltp.co.ke/frequently-asked-questions/