Prevention and Care

March 25, 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that affects the lungs and spreads through inhaling of tiny droplets, released in the air via coughs or sneezes, from an infected person.

In the global report in 2020, the Philippines ranked number 4 in the incidence of tuberculosis. About 2.5 million Filipinos have this disease in which 1 million are active TB and nearly 70 die per day.

TB can happen to anyone. Although it is a contagious disease, you can’t catch it easily unless you live or work with someone who has tuberculosis or you have a weakened immune system due to HIV, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer or you are undergoing chemotherapy. That’s why it’s important to work on your immune system so that your body can fight off any disease and prevent you from becoming sick.

There are 2 types of TB conditions: latent and active. Latent TB is inactive and isn’t contagious. It may cause no symptoms but still needs to be treated. On the other hand, active TB can make you sick and can infect others. 

Some signs and symptoms that you need to watch out for are: high fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, chills, coughing up blood, coughing for more than 3 weeks, fatigue, and loss of appetite. 

Tuberculosis is a curable disease but can also be fatal when not treated properly. It can affect your lungs and other parts of your body such as: the spine, joints, heart, kidney or liver.

The usual medicines used to treat TB and need to be completed for 6 months are isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and rifampin. Finishing the whole course of your treatment is very important. You should never skip or miss doses to keep the bacteria from mutating and becoming drug-resistant.

Up to this day, tuberculosis is still our country’s problem. Follow these tips to help protect yourself and your family against TB disease:

Practice good hygiene. Always wash and clean your hands. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Wear a face mask. Wearing a face mask especially in a crowded area/place does not only prevent COVID-19, but it also keeps you safe from getting infected with other viruses. 

Open windows. A good ventilation inside your home reduces the risk of spreading any viruses.

Get vaccinated. Since TB is prevalent in our country, make sure that your children are given BCG vaccine. It is usually administered to babies about 28 days old.

Listen to your body. If you suspect that you have tuberculosis, isolate and call your doctor immediately. You may be advised to have a blood or skin test and X-rays in order to confirm your condition.

Have medical coverage.  A health insurance product that covers hospital confinements can help you and your loved ones deal with the high costs of treatment and hospitalization.

Paramount Direct is committed to working side-by-side with you in providing budget-friendly health coverage in order to shield your family from financial despair during a health crisis.

Our HealthCare Cash Plan, especially designed for ages 20 to 50 years old, provides cash benefits during hospital stays due to any injury or illness, including tuberculosis. It can cover you, your spouse and all your children in just one affordable premium. Premium starts at PHP239/month for individuals, PHP478/month for couples and PHP731/month for families. Based on age 20 and Plan 500.

If you’re concerned about your family’s health, get protected today! Application is simple, fast and easy. Just visit www.paramountdirect.com for more information and to apply online.

World TB Day is not a day to celebrate but to raise awareness on how we can put an end to this killer disease. 

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