Tuberculosis can surely be beaten

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - World TB Day is commemorated today, Friday 24 March. A frail, yet friendly Danwill Stefaan (29) shares his journey of tuberculosis (TB).

He is thin and needs assistance to walk. One of the first things he says after sitting down is: "You should have seen what I looked like when I came here." Photos of him a month ago show a seriously ill man, unable to walk or talk.

"There is always hope. I am living proof," he said. Danwill is from Borcherds in George and came to Harry Comay Hospital in a bad state after contracting TB of the brain. He is one of 1 393 patients on TB treatment in the Garden Route district.

"I was tired all the time and coughed for about three weeks. The ambulance came to pick me up and I was referred to Harry Comay Hospital," he said. He takes his medication every day as prescribed and says he is lucky not to have too many side effects from the medication.

Another story of bravery and determination is that of Linzay de Vos (31), who is from Hillside in Beaufort West. She has also been at Harry Comay Hospital for a little over a month.

"It has been a difficult journey, being away from my three children, but I do this for them and myself. I want to get better and return to them as a healthy mother," she said.

Her symptoms included fatigue, sweating at night and coughing. "I thought it was TB and went to my local clinic. After tests we found it was multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB and I was referred here."

Linzay is extremely thin, but says she has picked up 3kg since starting her treatment. She is also part of a group that walks and does exercise in the fresh air.

"We talk about her treatment plan, and the topic of pills always come up as treatment might include a lot of pills, some that might have side-effects," said Dr Lindè Marais from Harry Comay Hospital.

"It is your responsibility and your health; even if you struggle with the pills, there is a way to manage that," she said.

These are two of many successes of patients that have successfully completed their TB treatment.

"Although not always easy, it is possible. We are proud of you. TB is treatable, and we can stop it if everyone tests early and starts and completes treatment," said Dr Marais.

Remember:

Anyone can get TB.
You can have free TB testing at your nearest clinic.
TB treatment is free at clinics.
Take your TB treatment as prescribed by your health worker.
Protect others by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, open windows and let sunlight come through your house.
Soon after you start your treatment you are not an infectious risk to your family and friends.

See www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/tb-what-you-need-know for more information.

Linzay de Vos