Health worker describes types of TB

There are two types of tuberculosis – pulmonary TB and extra-pulmonary TB – but both have similar symptoms such as persistent cough for over two weeks, night sweats and loss of weight, a health worker said during the World TB Day on Friday.
Kaugere clinic manager Janet Pongone said these two types of TB were caused by bacterium and the disease was curable and treatment was freely available in clinics and hospitals around the country.
“Pulmonary TB is TB of the lungs and its signs are you will have fever for more than three weeks and see no improvements when taking antibiotics and you will lose weight and night sweats,” Pngone said.
“Extra-pulmonary TB is TB outside of the lungs. So TB outside of the lungs is any part of the body, TB of the abdomen, back, bones, glands so it will affect the organ that is infected.
“For instance with TB of the abdomen you will have abdomen dispenses, fever and lose weight.”
Pongone said treatment for pulmonary TB took six months to complete while treatment for extra-pulmonary TB took nine months.
“TB patients lose weight so while they are on treatment we encourage them to eat more to increase their appetite because they have lost a lot of weight,” she said..
“They should eat and be faithful with their TB treatment.  Before starting treatment they should eat something in the morning first.”