TBC myths that are wrong and don't need to be trusted anymore, check here!

Tuberculosis (TBC) is an infectious disease which is the number one cause of death in Indonesia. The large number of TB cases in Indonesia is influenced by the public's misconception about this disease. Not a few people still believe in the myths of TB that are not medically proven. As a result, there is a lot of negative stigma that makes many TB sufferers hesitate to undergo treatment from the start and end up being treated too late.

If the myth about TB is a common misconception, then what are the facts?

TBC myth that turned out to be wrong

Tuberculosis is a disease that requires intensive and complete treatment. If you are late in taking TB treatment, not only can the patient's condition be threatened, but TB transmission can also be more widespread.

Therefore, you need to understand this disease better. You can start by checking back the proven facts behind the myths about TB disease.

Here are some myths about tuberculosis that are actually wrong, but are still believed by many people.

1. TB is a hereditary disease

This myth about tuberculosis WRONG. TB or tuberculosis is a contagious disease caused by a bacterial infection Mycobacterium tuberculosis .

This disease is more often spread among family members, but it has nothing to do with genetics or family health history. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread into the air by droplets of saliva that come out of the mouth when the person coughs, sneezes, laughs, or talks - and is then inhaled by other people.

When you spend a lot of time doing activities around someone with TB without protection (for example, masks), you gradually get started may be contracted tuberculosis. The reason is, the TB bacteria can spread faster in closed rooms, especially with poor ventilation conditions. That is why TB transmission may occur more frequently at home. Schools, homes, or prisons are also places at risk of transmission.

However, that does not mean that living with a TB patient will immediately contract TB as well. Your health condition, immune system, and personal hygiene will determine the level of your risk of contracting it.

2. TB is a disease of the middle to lower economic community

The myth of TBC is often a stigma for people in lower economic circles. In fact, this too wrong. TB disease can affect anyone infected with tuberculosis bacteria.

The latest data from the Ministry of Health's Data and Information Center in 2018 noted that TB cases in Indonesia - measured from positive sputum test (BTA) data - were the highest in the group of people aged over 15 years and over. There is no big difference in the number of cases between the lowest economic groups and the upper middle class.

It can be concluded that almost all people at any economic level are at risk for contracting TB.

Even so, there are still groups of people who are at higher risk for TB disease if they have conditions such as:

• Have a weak immune system.
• Have HIV and diabetes.
• Living in a place with poor sanitation, such as a humid, cramped environment and not exposed to sunlight.
• Close, prolonged, frequent, and continuous direct contact with a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

3. TB can only attack the lungs

This myth about tuberculosis incorrect and can reduce awareness of disease progression in sufferers. After entering the body, the TB bacteria will indeed settle in the lungs. That's where the bacteria will multiply and damage cells.

However, if not treated properly, bacteria can spread to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic channels and infect other organs and parts of the body. This condition is also known as extra pulmonary TB.

Common types of extrapulmonary TB are bone TB, lymph node TB, and intestinal TB. In addition, tuberculosis can also attack the heart, nervous system, and other organs.

4. TB is an infectious disease that is easily transmitted

This myth about tuberculosis WRONG. You may often hear this advice from people around you, to stay away from people with TB so as not to catch it. TB is contagious, but that doesn't mean you have to keep them or alienate them.

You can still take a number of steps to prevent TB transmission, including knowing the ways of transmitting tuberculosis bacteria. Reporting from the Disease Control and Prevention Agency (CDC), TB is not spread or transmitted through physical contact when you:

• Shaking hands or holding hands with sufferers.
• TB is not transmitted from sex, hugging, or kissing.
• Share a meal or drink.
• Using the same toilet as a person with tuberculosis.
• Use the same cutlery, sleeping utensils, and toothbrush with someone with TB.

TB bacteria cannot stick to clothes or skin. Bacteria can only be transmitted through the air when a person breathes contaminated air or through prolonged or regular close contact with someone with TB.

5. People who are infected with tuberculosis bacteria are definitely sick

This TB myth less precise. In fact, most people have actually been exposed to TB germs at least once in their lifetime. However, only 10% of people infected with tuberculosis bacteria will suffer from TB.

Usually, when bacteria enter the body, but are inactive, this condition is known as latent TB. This means that no symptoms appear.

The stronger your body's resistance, the less likely it is for TB bacteria to develop into disease.

6. TB cannot be cured

This TB myth is clear not true. Even though it is a chronic disease, TB can be completely cured by up to 99 percent — provided the patient is routinely treated for 6-9 consecutive months and never forgets to take TB medication.

If you don't get treatment regularly, the bacteria will only weaken for a moment and strengthen so that you get the impression that your disease is relapsing. In fact, in fact you have not fully recovered because of undisciplined treatment.

To find out whether the patient has fully recovered, it can only be ascertained through the results of BTA examinations, chest X-rays, and other laboratory tests. If the results indicate the presence of bacteria is negative, the patient is declared a complete recovery.