ILOILO City – Tuberculosis (TB) remains a nagging disease in Western Visayas.
This year from Jan. 1 to June 30, the region recorded 15,290 cases, data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 showed.
TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and it most often affects the lungs. It is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.
TB is prevalent in all provinces of Region 6 – Aklan (1,013 cases), Antique (1,129), Capiz (1,418), Guimaras (256), Iloilo (3,318), and Negros Occidental (5,745).
The region’s two highly urbanized cities also have TB cases – Iloilo City (1,137) and Bacolod City (1,274).
Those exhibiting TB symptoms should right seek medical help, according to DOH-6.
TB disease in the lungs may cause symptoms such as a bad cough that lasts three weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs), weakness or fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever, and sweating at night.
“Isa sa prevention controls ang yearly x-ray kay indi tanan nga TB may sintomas. May ara nga nabal-an lang nga may TB kon nagpa-chest x-ray,” said Christine Mosqueda, regional National Tuberculosis Program nurse coordinator of DOH-6.
Last year, the region recorded 29,438 TB cases – 19 percent higher than the 23,858 cases in 2020, DOH-6 data showed. These were in Aklan (1,663), Antique (1,915), Capiz (2,629), Guimaras (667), Iloilo (5,595), Iloilo City (2,812), Negros Occidental (10,518), and Bacolod City (3,639).
Mosqueda stressed the importance of cough etiquette as another TB control measure.
“Dapat manabon gid kita sang aton baba. Kon wala sang panyo kag maalangan kita, diri kita ubo sa sleeve or sulod sang bayo para indi makabuga sa iban nga tawo,” said Mosqueda.
She also stressed the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle to strengthen the immune system.
“A strong immune system indi dali-dali nga malatnan sang TB,” said Mosqueda.
August is National Lung Month. This year’s theme is, “Universal Health Care and Tuberculosis Intervention is the Key”.
Mosqueda said suspected and TB cases could seek help at rural health units (RHUs); checkup is free. Free medicines are also given.
RHUs have TB DOTS facility (TB Directly Observed Therapy)./PN
