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Tuberculosis remains to be one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide but with advanced medical technology, TB is now preventable and curable. Proper TB treatment and the patient’s willingness to be cured is a big factor. It is believed that the health behaviors of TB patients and the support they get from their family are somehow connected and that this support might influence their self-care behavior. Undergoing treatment is that period where family awareness and preparedness should be strengthened.
Since IVY* treatment began last July 16, 2020, her mother and husband were a big help to her. These two are the only ones who know about her TB. When her husband noticed IVY’s sudden lost weight and how she tires easily tire even with simple chores, he urged her to seek medical help immediately especially when she coughed up an abnormal amount of blood. The findings were TB. He was most bothered when IVY thought she might get if from him because IVY hardly ever goes out especially when the pandemic started and he still socialized with his friends despite the Quarantine. He decided to take an Xray but he was negative from TB.
Like IVY, he was afraid for their children and that they might get it from her but the doctor’s diagnosis was positive of the cure, she just needs to follow her treatment religiously.
Now on her 4th month of antibiotic medication (plus pain reliever and vitamin), her husband is happy and becoming less fearful of what their future might be because IVY decided to take up her college course thru online education while she’s undergoing treatment. Her mother is also calm because she saw how TB treatment nowadays is very modern, unlike those days when her father, IVY’s grandfather, had TB and died from it.
IVY’s husband and her mother believe that accompanying her to the health center, reminding her about medicines, and giving meals to her makes her feel very well taken care of. IVY is thankful that her husband always has a ready sympathetic attitude towards her and that her mother remains by her side.
This series/story is a part of the #TBFreePH campaign, the official TB health promotion and communication strategy of the Department of Health which aims to help the National TB Control Program (NTP) in finding and treating 2.5 million Filipinos with TB by 2022. With the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other development partners, #TBFreePH hopes to convince more Filipinos in knowing their TB status and getting tested and treated for TB. Follow #TBFreePH on https://www.facebook.com/TBFreePH.
*Name has been changed at the patient’s request
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