What is Tuberculosis?
The ”Mycobacterium Tuberculosis” bacteria causes Tuberculosis.
How is TBC transmitted?
The transmission of TBC happens from one person with active TBC to another by sneezing or coughing nearby of others. The droplets expelled through the air contain the bacteria. When inhaled by another person, the bacteria ends up in the lungs of the unaware person. The bacteria use this route to go from one person to another.
Tuberculosis Symptoms:
- Body aches;
- Fever;
- Dry cough for 3 weeks or more;
- Night sweats;
- Weight loss.
Symptoms for the advanced stage:
- Hoarse voice;
- Chest pain;
- Bloody cough.
Tuberculosis detection
- The laboratory performs a “Ziehl Nielsen” test with secretion from the lungs;
- Thorax test: Active TBC causes changes in the lungs which is visible with an X-Ray;
- Tuberculina (PPD or Mantoux test). It tests a fraction of the skin by inserting a tiny needle in the skin. Through the skin, they can check for TBC antibodies.
When to test for TBC?
- Test individuals who have had a dry cough for over 3 weeks.
- For work/residence permits and when handling food, a thorax test is a requirement to detect TBC
- Adult entertainers/sex workers when arriving in Aruba
- New students at the IPA.
- Contact tests for all who were in direct contact with a TBC patient.
Treatment and Control
TBC treatment consists of various pills taken for some months. This treatment eliminates the TBC-causing bacteria and cures the patient.
Fact sheet of Tuberculosis in Aruba
From 2008 until 2022, the Department of Epidemiology and Investigation registered 108 TBC cases, of which 74 were confirmed in a lab and 34 clinically diagnosed.
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