"Given that tuberculosis transmission is through droplet splashes, the implementation of health protocols is very relevant to prevent its spread," assistant deputy for disease control and management at the ministry Nancy Dian Anggraeni said here on Friday.
The community also needs to play an active role in efforts to control TB and disseminate information about the disease, she added.
The community can play an active role in identifying TB cases around their homes and ensuring that TB sufferers receive treatment until they are cured, she said.
"To tackle and stop the transmission of TB disease, all people who are sick must be treated until they recover," she added.
The ministry, she said, has continued to push for TB control programs through the Find TB and Treat it Until Healed (TOSS) movement.
She added that the community could also play an active role by making the TB screening program successful.
"People are also advised to carry out early examinations or carry out TB screening if they meet two criteria," she said.
First, people must carry out early checks if they have a history of close contact with people who have TB, she informed.
Second, they are also advised to carry out an examination if they have symptoms that lead to TB disease, such as a prolonged cough for up to two weeks or more, coughing with blood, shortness of breath, and weight loss.
"People also need to be aware of TB disease in children if their weight does not increase according to their age, (they experience) sweating at night without physical activity, and have other symptoms that lead to TB," she said.
"They need to be examined immediately at the Community Health Center (puskesmas)," she said further.
People who have come into close contact with TB sufferers will need to be examined to know whether they have active or latent TB, she informed.
"If they have active TB, they have to take medicine until they recover and those who have latent TB, they need to take TB prevention medicine," she said.
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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Katriana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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