Thai Public Health Authorities Move To Intensify Control Of Tuberculosis

[george]

Thai public health authorities move to intensify control of TB

BANGKOK: -- To control the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in Thailand, Minister of Public Health Witthaya Kaewparadai has ordered health personnel to ensure that patients take the full treatment course of anti-tubercular medicines as well as to established more TB diagnosis and treatment centres.

Mr. Witthaya said that he had assigned village health volunteers nationwide to help instruct TB-infected patients take a full course of anti-tuberculosis drugs.

In the meantime, the Public Health Ministry currently founded two research centres which focus on treatment of the multi drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), according the strategy of World Health Organization (WHO).

Mr. Witthaya added that the ministry planned to completely set up 27 tuberculosis centres nationwide in 2012.

Drug resistance is a main obstacle for patients to achieve100 per cent recovery from the disease.

Meanwhile, Dr. Prat Boonyawongvirot, Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said that Thailand now ranked 18th among 22 high tuberculosis- burdened countries.

The number of new TB patients reaches to 90,000 each year while 20 per cent among of the patients were also found to be HIV-infected.

The World Heal Organization describes tuberculosis as an infectious bacterial disease. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs, by co0ughin g and sneezing, of persons with active cases of the respiratory disease.

Tuberculosis is, according to Dr. Prat, treatable with a six-month course of antibiotics.

-- TNA 2009-03-22

[Junglejumbo]

TB is a huge issue in Thailand. It's actually worth while checking your resistance before you come here or shortly thereafter. This can be done with the 5-prong skin tissue jab and if the skin swells up after the jab then you're probably OK, with the anti-bodies inside you. If not, then take care especially when up country in the villages, in run down bars, etc. Don't drink from glasses unless you've cleaned them, etc.

About 30% of Thais carry TB and the ratio in the farming areas is about 50%. Although this doesn't necessarily need to be a problem and the same was true in the UK about 80 years ago, the number of people breaking out with it in Thailand for one reason or another seems to be on the rise. TB is a nasty, nasty bug which gradually gets worse and you may not know you have it until after about 6months. Starts with a slight cough, progressing to green/brown then grey flemmy cough, then streaks of blood then quite a bit of blood. Thai doctors don't care to make the diagnosis until they see some blood proscribing general antibiotics and anti-allergy pills first which may appear to work for a week or so but thereafter your condition gets worse. However, careful examination of an X-ray, and you can see some white spots. If you have a cough for more than 5wks, ask them to check the flem for TB. The test can take 2-3weeks to complete as they have to grow the TB bacteria first so don't leave it too long.

I knew someone who died of TB last year. He hadn't received any X-ray until about 3weeks before he died although he'd been getting worse for more than a year.

[dumball]

I think the first/obvious step to take would be to educate/enforce prevention of the very bad habit the Thai have of coughing/sneezing where-ever/whenever they feel the need WITHOUT COVERING THIER MOUTHS , they blythly spray all and sundry within about 30 feet(10 metres) with thier filthy germs . This includes the food you eat and everything you come into contact with within that area , you touch a doorknob , the wall , a counter top etc and you can be infected with whatever is transmittable should you put your hand to your mouth .

[Nampeung]

I was wrongly diagnosed for TB in Thailand for over a year and am now dying from a related lung disease because of the damage the TB did.

Frankly I am shocked that the Thais seem to be so lax about this :D

[dumball]

I was wrongly diagnosed for TB in Thailand for over a year and am now dying from a related lung disease because of the damage the TB did.

Frankly I am shocked that the Thais seem to be so lax about this

What happened to the fantastic health service in Thailand we read so much about on TV , with TB being so prevalent , how could they misdiagnose that ? Why are you so shocked about Thai being lax about anything , considering they have a problem getting most things correct and are too vane to take any criticism for the better ???

My heart felt condolences for your present situation in which they placed you , maybe it will wake a few wanabees up on just how safe Thailand realy is for expats , anybody else for that matter , bunch of incompetant nethanderals .

[Nampeung]

They said it was an allergic reaction after the tsunami/hay fever/ a cold... thanks for your thoughts DB

[Scott]

Very sorry to hear about your misdiagnosis and wish you the best with your current health situation.

[Nampeung]

Cheers Scott - I guess I just want to raise awareness for others in Thailand about this awful disease