In Peru, 27,000 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) are reported each year, making it one of the countries with the highest number of cases in the Americas, according to Ministry of Health reports. Learning to prevent TB and receiving an early diagnosis are key factors to fight it and avoid serious complications. Dr. Juan Manuel Jiménez, internist of the Internal Medicine and Emergency Department of our clinic, provides us with valuable information about this infectious disease.

How do you get Tuberculosis?

TB is not caught from a virus, but from a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually attacks the lungs, but can also involve the kidneys, brain, spine and other parts of the body. A person can be in contact with a carrier of such bacteria and acquire it, but if his or her defense mechanisms are good, they block the development of the pathology for a long time, even for years.

How does it manifest in children?

Children who become infected suffer alterations in their physical development, as they have respiratory symptoms and limitations and will not be able to carry out their daily activities normally, but only while the complete treatment lasts, which is usually 6 months. It is important that at the same time the children receive emotional and mental support because the pathology can trigger consequences and limitations in the future.

Which population is the most vulnerable?

Children and older adults are the age groups most vulnerable to catching this infectious disease, as well as people who have other conditions and take immunomodulatory medication such as HIV, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, among others.

What are the main symptoms?

Its characteristic symptoms are being respiratory symptomatic, that is, presenting persistent cough for 15 days or more, in addition to fever, night sweats, weight loss and other subacute respiratory signs.

To prevent Tuberculosis, our specialist recommends:

Follow a balanced diet, do regular physical activity, avoid overweight and excesses, sleep at the right hours, the minimum prudent time. Likewise, it is essential to learn to identify the symptoms and to have a timely screening in order to receive a complete treatment quickly.

Challenges to eradicate Tuberculosis:

Despite medical advances, the disease cannot be eradicated for various reasons. For example, due to the fact that TB patients are still stigmatized, there are no massive early screening campaigns, which leads to a delay in diagnosis, a greater number of infections and people abandon their treatment, developing bacterial resistance and complicating their recovery. It should be noted that most patients, with 2 weeks of medication, are no longer contagious.

Dr. Juan Manuel Jiménez
Internist of The Internal Medicine and Emergency Department at Clínica Ricardo Palma