TB patients in district to undergo throat swabs

Ludhiana: District Ludhiana has decided to send throat swabs of people suffering with tuberculosis (TB), as they are among the groups that may be particularly affected. The health department has received orders from the state government that special attention is needed to safeguard the continuity of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care for people with TB.
Tuberculosis is considered a chronic respiratory condition, which reduces the lung’s capacity for normal breathing, and therefore increases the risk a patient may develop a severe strain of Covid-19. This is because the virus can have the worst effect on those with existing respiratory issues.
Dr Harpreet Bains, District TB Officer at the civil hospital, said, “Cough, fever, shortness of breath — these are, as we know, symptoms of Covid-19. But they are also symptoms of other infections prevalent like tuberculosis (TB). For patients in places where TB is common, it must always be considered in the list of potential causes.”
“As Ludhiana reels under Covid-19, ironically, though the two diseases have numerous similarities, the one striking difference is that TB is curable, but Covid-19’s cure is uncertain,” he adds.
In Ludhiana, if Covid-19 makes its way into communities, many more issues will arise for the already vulnerable, highly disadvantaged populations. Thus, as the virus rapidly spreads, it exposes gaps in the health systems, and also devastates relatively healthy people.
Bains said, “Covid-19 is a wake-up call to the entire health system and how it disregards the needs of those fighting diseases like TB. If we ignore even one patient, not only do we risk their lives, we risk the spread of TB and coronavirus. It’s time to fight Covid-19 and TB, just as it is time to invest in public health.”
Civil hospital senior medical officer (SMO) Dr Geeta Kataria said, “We are taking throat swabs of TB patients as per directions of the state government, as they are vulnerable groups. The doctor has referred them for swabs accordingly, and they are being tested in groups.”
BOX 1
TB VS COVID-19
Covid-19
* Persistent cough
* High fever
* Difficulty breathing
Symptoms of Covid-19 usually appear quickly and disappear after about seven days.
TB
* Cough
* Fever
* Weight loss
* Loss of appetite
* Night sweats
* Extreme fatigue
Symptoms of TB appear gradually over the course of several weeks, and persist if they are not treated.
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What is coronavirus (Covid-19)?
Covid-19 mainly affects your lungs and airways. The coronavirus spreads in droplets that are sent into the air when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes. If you are nearby, you could breathe these droplets in. The droplets can also land on surfaces where they may be picked up by your hands. If you then touch your face, you could become infected with Covid-19.
If you have been diagnosed with active TB, are you more at risk of Covid-19?
Having TB does not make you more likely to fall ill with Covid-19. However, if you have pulmonary TB, any damage to your lungs could make you more vulnerable to other infections, such as Covid-19.
How can you protect yourself?
For both TB and Covid-19, there are lots of simple, but effective measures that you can take to protect yourself. Always carry tissues with you, and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser. Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds each time with soap and water or hand sanitiser, especially when you get home or into office, blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are unwell. If you are being treated for active TB, it is as important to take all your medications as prescribed.
If you have been diagnosed with active TB, how would you know if you also have Covid-19?
If you have been diagnosed with TB, you may already have a range of symptoms. These are most likely to be a result of the TB or side-effects to the medication you are taking. However, they could also be caused by other conditions, including Covid-19. It is, therefore, important to keep a note of all your symptoms, and let your TB doctor or nurse know about them, particularly if they worsen.