How Do I Know ??
By
Dr. Madan M Vasandani
I
attended a school nurse conference today and what I experienced there today
really opened my eyes on how ‘neglect’ is an epidemic of epic proportions. The
topic raised in the conference was Management of a Case of Tuberculosis when
detected in school.
Dear readers, did you know that Indonesia has the 4th
highest number of cases of Tuberculosis in the world and that 1 in 6
Indonesians have Tuberculosis. This is a concern for me especially as a parent.
My mind started wandering during the conference in to the abyss of my sons’
school.
How do I know that my sons’ school is free of Tuberculosis? Do they
have a screening test to ensure each and every one in the school compound is
free of Tuberculosis? They do not and this has caused me to spiral down to
write an email to the school and also to write this blog.
What is
Tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is an infection
caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It most often affects the lung causing a
condition called Pulmonary Tuberculosis. It can also affect other organs like
the Lymph nodes, brain, Gastro Intestinal Tract and even the bones.
How is it
transferred?
TB is transferred by droplets.
Droplets are only produced by Coughing, sneezing, singing and even talking. The
bacteria is not shed in a person’s saliva, hence sharing utensils or food
cannot transmit the disease.
What are the symptoms of Tuberculosis?
The most common symptoms of TB
are:
- Cough lasting more than 2 – 3 weeks
- Weight loss
- Decreased Appetite
- Night sweats
Infected people may not feel ill
or show any symptoms if their immune system can keep the bacterial under
control. About 1/3rdof the people of Indonesia are infected without
showing any symptoms. When someone’s immune system is weakened, the chances of
being sick are greater.
Can TB be cured?
TB can be cured with medication
….. but untreated it can kill. Treatment usually takes 6 months and costs as
little Rp 1,000,000 in Jakarta.
So what’s the big
idea?
Well, as the conference was
attended by school nurses, I would like to ask any head of school, principal,
teacher or school owners – Do you have an effective program to ensure your
staff, teachers, drivers and even students do not have Tuberculosis? If the
answer is NO, which I am sure most of you will answer then it is time to throw
the ‘neglect’ in the trash bin and get on with a program. This will not only
help us doctors to eradicate TB, it will also boost up the pedigree of your
school. As parents we would like our kids to be safe and healthy in school.
Kids spend long hours in schools and it is the responsibility of schools to
ensure they are safe and free of preventable diseases.
As
my eyes were opened, I hope it has the same effect on you.
~If you are a parent,
question the school.
~If you work in a school question the management.
~If you
own a school or part of management,it is time to implement this program.
Health is a social word; hence, it requires the involvement of the society to
keep each and every one healthy. Health doesn’t just fall to your lap like
manna from the sky, you have to attain it.
