Drug-resistant strains of TB are out of control, warn health experts
Results UK, the International HIV/Aids Alliance and the Stop Aids Campaign say they no longer have the resources to continue expanding their work. They are urging the UK to back emergency action to replenish the Global Fund at the G20 meeting in Mexico in June. The fund provides more than four-fifths of all funding to fight TB.
Aaron Oxley, of Results UK, said: “Thanks to sustained efforts from the Global Fund, TB cases have been in decline, but with the current lack of resources there is scope for severe backsliding on the progress we have made. This is disappointing and worrying news as we have a real chance of seeing an end to TB in our lifetime.”
Myth: A positive skin test means I have TB.
Fact: A positive TB skin test only confirms that you have been exposed to
tuberculosis and are infected, but not necessarily have disease. You need
medicine to keep from getting sick.
Myth: If I don’t have TB symptoms, I don’t have TB.
Fact: A person with TB disease may have any, all or none of the following
symptoms: a cough that will not go away; feeling tired all the time; weight loss;
loss of appetite; fever; coughing up blood; night sweats. These symptoms can
also occur with other diseases so it is important to see a doctor and to let the
doctor determine if you have TB. It is also important to remember that a person
with TB disease may feel perfectly healthy or may only have a cough from time
to time. If you think you have been exposed to TB, get a TB skin test.
Myth: Tuberculosis only occurs in lower socioeconomic groups.
Fact: Tuberculosis can be contracted by anyone. However, there are some
people who are at a greater risk for contracting tuberculosis than others.
Learning what these risk factors are, can reduce a person’s chances of
contracting tuberculosis.
• Next week the UK will host the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Scientists from around the world will discuss drug and multi-drug resistant TB strains and also look at what impact the crowds attending the London Olympics could have on spreading disease.
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Tracy McVeigh
The Observer, Sunday 25 March 2012