More tuberculosis (TB) cases reported in Twic County

Mother Teresa hospital in Twic County has reported an increase in the number of tuberculosis cases in Warrap state over the last 10 months.

A medical officer said they registered 184 patients compared to 90 last year.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, and other parts of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.

TB is the leading cause of death of people with HIV and is also a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance.

Peter Manyin Manyin, a TB nurse in the hospital the cases are common among men, women, and children.

“The number of patients infection has really increased…patients under treatment need to take drugs correctly because TB drugs are not like other drugs…you have to take TB treatment for six months without missing taking the drugs” he said.

Manyin stated that the cases are worsened by patients refusing to seek medical treatment from the onset of the disease.

The hospital has currently 5 patients in admission.

Among those registered for TB at the hospital this year are; 113 were men, 71 women, and 4 children below 1 year.

TB 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. It is a preventable and curable disease using antibiotics.