Next Friday marks World Tuberculosis Day.
A CNN Radio in Correspondente Médico, pulmonologist Marcelo Rabahi warned that the disease kills 4,000 Brazilians every year, with 90,000 diagnosed cases.
“There are more than 10 deaths daily, for a disease that we know the agent, has a diagnosis and has a cure”, he said.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease, transmitted by bacteria, which affects the lungs in particular.
“Symptoms are weak, persistent cough and low fever, and, therefore, the person ends up with the condition for a longer time and delaying the diagnosis.”
Coughing for more than 2 weeks should serve as a red flag, according to Rabahi.
“At this time, the person should go to the health unit for investigation, and health professionals need to understand that it is not a thing of the past, it is very much present.”
According to him, it is “relatively easy” to make the diagnosis, with a sputum test, available at SUS, and lung x-rays.
With the positive test, you can proceed with drug treatment, which offers “cure in 97% of cases, if done correctly.”
The doctor also reinforced the need for vaccination against tuberculosis, which has seen a drop in coverage in recent years.
“It is a great danger, because it protects against serious forms of the disease, especially in childhood.”
Even so, he recalls that the condition affects people at all ages and that it takes commitment from public agents to combat it.
Risk factors are diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol use, compromised immunity and malnutrition.
*Produced by Isabel Campos
Source: CNN Brasil
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