TB more likely to attack unhealthy people: Nurse
By ALISON ANIS
SCHOOL children and others who are usually exposed to crowded environment where tuberculosis (TB) bacterium is present are more likely to acquire it if they have a low immune system or their body-cells is weak to ward-off the germs.
“Because TB is an airborne disease or is spread through air, it is easy for anyone who has a low immune system to catch it,” Manasseh Kelly, a nursing sister of St Therese Clinic at Hohola, told students and staff of Jubilee Secondary School during an awareness programme on TB organised by the Health Department’s promotion branch yesterday.
“Therefore, it is important that each of you have to eat well, sleep well and have lots of exercise to build up a strong immune system which will resist TB germs whenever you are exposed to it,” she added.
Jubilee Secondary was the first of the five selected schools within the National Capital District (NCD) for the TB awareness campaign in lead-up to the World TB Day on Mar 26.
Similar programmes have been organised for students at Kilakila and Badihagwa Secondary, St Therese and St Peter’s Primary schools on different dates.
Sr Kelly said TB is now a big concern in the country because “it is spreading like bush fire and killing a lot of our people” and affects children and people of all age.
The Government, the Health Department and the Word Health Organisation, has launched the direct observer treatment survey (DOTS).
“Under DOTS, they were able to declare “free” treatment for TB patients and introduce a more effective way for treatment, where patients are kept under full observation for complete treatment,” Sr Gloria Selum said.
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