| Who are the groups most susceptible to developing tuberculosis? |
People living with HIV/AIDS; Persons deprived of liberty; Homeless population; Indigenous; Healthcare professionals; Contacts of tuberculosis patients, mainly children and older adults, and people with diabetes. |
People with HIV/AIDS; Inmates; Homeless people; Indigenous; Healthcare professionals; People who live with tuberculosis patients, especially children and the elderly, and people with diabetes. |
| I started taking the medication, but I felt bad. What should I do? |
CONTINUE TO TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS. It is important that you return to work immediately so that healthcare professionals can assess you. |
Return to the healthcare facility immediately so that a healthcare professional can assess you. Do not stop treatment. |
| Do I need to stop drinking alcoholic beverages during tuberculosis treatment? |
YES. You cannot drink alcoholic beverages, such as cachaças, beers, whiskey, wines, and others, during treatment, as there is a risk of complications, such as hepatitis. However, there are patients who are unable to stop drinking, in this case, it is recommended to inform the healthcare professional who is monitoring you and be sure to take your medications. |
It is advisable yes. You cannot drink alcoholic beverages, such as cachaças, beers, whiskey, wines, and others, during treatment, as there is a risk of complications, such as hepatitis. However, if you have difficulty stopping drinking or stopping using other drugs, talk to your healthcare professional. |
| Why is it important to take an HIV test? |
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that is predominant in people living with HIV, due to the compromised immunity of these patients, and is also the main cause of death in this group. Therefore, it is important that you undergo an HIV test due to the relationship between the two diseases. |
HIV is a silent disease that compromises the body’s defense against other diseases, such as tuberculosis. When the patient has both diseases (TB and HIV), the chance of worsening is greater. Therefore, early detection through HIV testing is important. |
| Why do people who live with me have to be tested? |
Because the family are generally the people who live with you the most, therefore, they are the ones who are most at risk of becoming infected and falling ill, as they maintained contact before the diagnosis and the start of treatment. It is important that everyone is tested, even if they do not have symptoms, as there is a possibility that their contacts are infected and at risk of developing the disease in the coming years. |
Because people who live with you (family) are in the same environment, they are at greater risk of becoming infected and falling ill, because before diagnosis and treatment begins, you release the bacteria that cause the disease into the environment. In this case, it is important that everyone is examined, those with symptoms through sputum examination, and those who do not present symptoms of tuberculosis through the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and chest x-ray, as there is a possibility that their contacts are infected and at risk of developing the disease in the coming years. |
| I am undergoing tuberculosis treatment, what precautions should I take in relation to COVID-19? (question about COVID-19 inserted) |
Inserted in the second version. |
It is important to maintain treatment and take the following precautions: wearing masks, washing hands with soap and water, using alcohol gel, avoiding crowds, and checking your vaccination schedule against COVID-19. In cases of symptoms such as fever, dry cough, tiredness, sore throat, runny nose, lack of smell and taste, seek the service. |
