TB: ‘Report Cough That Lasts A Fortnight’

Cross section of mothers with their babies during the commemoration of the 2016 World TB Day at Miri District in Bauchi, recently.

Against the backdrop that
cough could be a sign of common infections, Nigerians have been advised to report any form of cough that lasts for more than two weeks to the nearest Tuberculosis (TB) facility for check-up and possible treatment.
The Rivers State Tuberclosis Control Programme Officer, Dr Kingsley Alleruchi gave the advice during his address at a programme to mark the World Tuberculosis Day at Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt recently.
Speaking to journalists at the event, Alleruchi noted that Tuberculosis is a chronics air-borne infectious disease with its own special drugs adding that should the drugs for everyday cough be administered, it would be resistant.
In his words “early detection and diagnosis saves and remain the only key to avoiding tuberculosis. TB cough could be assumed to be just ordinary cough and that is why it is important that any case of cough that lasts for over two weeks should be reported to any of the TB Centres for diagnosis and treatment. Also, the right attitude and behaviour like closing the mouth while coughing is needful to avoid the spread of TB”.
Alleruchi revealed that Tuberculosis that stays for over two months destroys the lungs and remains even till death and stressed the need for early diagnosis and treatment.
“HIV is a co-driver of Tuberculosis because they are both caused by a virus that primarily reduces the immunity of the body”, Alleruchi stated.
Speaking during her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Heath, Mrs Caroline Wali said “over 2000 new cases are seen every year. This is worsened by the complication of TB Co-infected HIV, where a common cause of death in HIV patients is TB”.
Wali disclosed that Rivers State has more than 190 Directly Observed Treatment Centres (DOTs), 190 Diagnostic Centres and nine Gene-expert machines that is spread across public and private health institutions in the state.
While noting that the World Tuberculosis Day was a day to remind the people that Tuberculosis was still much around with people suffering and dying of it, Wali further urged everyone with cough that lasts for more than two weeks to go to any of the state’s facilities for check-up and treatment saying “TB treatment and investigations are free in all public health facilities”.

Lady Godknows Ogbulu