The Apapa General Hospital , Lagos in collaboration with Damian Foundation over the weekend offered free screening, treatment and drugs distribution to patients of TB as part of measures to mark World Tuberculosis Day.
The world Tuberculosis day is observed annually on 24th March to raise awareness about TB and efforts to end the global epidemics making the day in 1882.
Dr. Maclawrence Famuyiwa, explained that TB is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person through the air.
TB, usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body of such as the brain, the kidney or the spine.
A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment. Dr. Maclawrence said the general symptoms of TB disease include feelings of sickness or weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
The Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of Apapa General Hospital, Dr. Ajibola Keshinro, said ” TB, germs are put into the air when a person with the disease of the lungs or throat cough, sneeze, speak or sings.
”The symptoms of TB disease by the lungs also include coughing, chest pain and the coughing up of blood symptoms of TB disease in other parts of the depends on the area affected.
“These germs can stay in the air for several hours depending on the environment persons who breathe in the air containing these TB germs can become infected, this is a called latent TB infection” he said.
