What to do when someone in the family has tuberculosis?

Adding healthy, nutritious foods to your meals will help your body stay healthy and prevent diseases, including tuberculosis (internet photo)

Tuberculosis bacteria are spread through the air when a person with tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, sings or talks, releasing tiny droplets into the air. When your body is weak, inhaling even a small amount of bacteria can cause tuberculosis.

People with good resistance will prevent tuberculosis bacteria from growing and developing. People with poor resistance will quickly develop the disease. To prevent tuberculosis, pay attention to the following points:

For people with tuberculosis:

It is best for a person with tuberculosis to stay in a separate room. If they have to sleep in the same bed as a relative, they should sleep with their head facing the other person, and not let their breath blow into the other person's face. Keep the living space airy, not humid, well-lit, high, clean, and hygienic. Do not let substances containing tuberculosis bacteria spread outside. The patient's sputum must be spit into a cup or mug containing lime powder... It is best for the patient not to spit indiscriminately.

After 2-3 weeks of full and active TB treatment, the possibility of transmission of the disease in people with pulmonary TB will decrease. During that time, patients need to avoid unnecessary contact with people who do not have the disease, especially children who are thin, undernourished, debilitated, malnourished...

For people who are not sick:

Avoid close contact with people who have TB. If you cannot avoid it, wear a mask and protective gloves. Wash your hands with an antiseptic after contact with the patient. Avoid crowded, stuffy, and unsanitary places.

Boost your immunity by maintaining a diet rich in antioxidants. Eat at least 4-5 servings of vegetables and fruits every day. If you cannot eat them for some reason, take antioxidants/multivitamins after consulting your doctor. Antioxidants help fight free radicals produced in cells due to diseases and help in cell regeneration. You need a good combination of food components to be healthy. Carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and fats all play a role in maintaining the body's immune system.

Exercise daily. You can walk regularly for at least 45 minutes a day to improve blood circulation and improve the immune system. Maintain good personal hygiene. Learn to avoid stress as this can increase the risk of many diseases, including tuberculosis. It is also important to get enough sleep to maintain health and prevent disease.

Newborns can be prevented from contracting tuberculosis by administering the BCG vaccine. For older children, it is necessary to detect whether they have been infected by taking them to the doctor and doing tests. If there are signs of infection or illness, they must be treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs as directed by a specialist.

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