Raising Awareness About Tuberculosis

This Sunday is recognized as “World Tuberculosis Day” by the World Health Organization.
Here at home, the Northwestern Health Unit is educating the public about TB, and manager of Infectious Diseases Donna Stanley says while it’s not common in this area, it’s still present in other areas of the world.
Stanley says when people are exposed to the disease; they don’t become ill right away.
TB usually attacks the lungs, but then can move on to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, kidneys, urinary tract and bones.
Stanley says the people who are at a higher risk of getting the disease are:
– people who come from countries where there is a high number of TB cases
– aboriginals who have lived in a community with a high rate of TB
– the homeless
– residents of long-term care or correctional facilities as well as the people who work there
Stanley adds TB is preventable, and there are medications for the prevention and treatment at the Northwestern Health Unit, at no cost.
For more information, contact your local health unit.