ARVs (Antiretrovirals) help you stay healthy and undetectable, protecting the people you care about the most.
Self-Care & Wellness:
Tuberculosis
People living with HIV (PLHIV) are more likely than others to become sick with tuberculosis (TB). This is because HIV weakens the immune system, which makes it harder for the body to fight TB germs.
What is TB?
TB stands for Tuberculosis. An infection caused by a resilient bacteria called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. While TB mostly affect the lungs, it can affect any organ of the body (this is called Extrapulmonary TB)
What are some of the symptoms of TB?
Classic TB symptoms are: Persistent cough for more than two weeks, night sweats that make your pillow or clothes wet, unexplained weight loss, poor appetite, painful chest especially when you cough or take deep breaths and a hot body.
What impact does TB have on PLHIV?
TB is one of the many opportunistic infections associated with HIV. The good news is that once a patient is on treatment for HIV and their HIV stays suppressed, they drastically reduce the chances of having the most severe cases of TB.
PLHIV can take TB Preventive Therapy to further reduce chances of getting TB – this is called TPT and is available for free to all persons living with HIV. The treatment can last for 3, 6 or 12 months depending on the regimen appropriate for the person.
Make ARVs an essential part of your daily routine and experience the freedom of a healthy future.
For more information about TB, ask your nurse or Doctor.
