A public health expert, Mr Michael Opeyemi Fasonu, has advised Nigerians on the need for early diagnosis and treatment of resistant cough, saying it could be tuberculosis.
Fasonu, who is the Ondo State Technical Assistant of Damien Foundation, stated this in a interview with newsmen in Akure on the need for early diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis.
The Damien Foundation is a medical development Non-governmental Organisation that focuses on combating tuberculosis, leprosy and other infectious diseases with a mission to ensure affected individuals regain their place in the society.
Fasonu urged the public not to dismiss persistent coughs as flu, stating TB can lie dormant for years before becoming active, making early testing and treatment crucial.
He explained that tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, stressing that people needed to be sensitised on symptoms to look out for in suspected cases.
The public health expert urged residents to seek medical attention if they experience persistent coughs, chest pain, weakness, weight loss, night sweats and other TB symptoms.
According to him, in Ondo State, a study reported TB prevalence of 16.1 per cent, with variations across different senatorial districts with an incidence rate 119 of 100,000.
He gave common risk factors to include; weakened immune systems due to conditions like HIV, malnutrition, diabetes, smoking, and living or working in crowded environment.
“The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is currently the only available TB vaccine. It offers protection against severe forms of TB in children but is less effective in preventing pulmonary TB in adults.
“New vaccines are under development, with some candidates in advanced clinical trials showing about 50 per cent efficacy in preventing active TB disease,” he stated.
The public health expert called for more funding to tackle the disease in the country, urging government at all levels to put facilities in place to tackle the pandemic.
The Damien Foundation official counseled pregnant women to deliver their babies in the hospital to enable them access appropriate vaccination of their children, saying that the dose would protect them for life.
Fasonu urged people to always live a healthy life style and exercise regularly to boost their immune system.
