Tuberculosis in an Elder

                                                       

In  Elder people, according to doctors Tuberculosis (TB) is not easy to detect and diagnose because it does not manifest so clearly in these people. Usually doctors can easily be lead to suspect another disease. Because of their age doctors tend to classify them as belong to other diseases in which case most common illness found within their age range. The frequent symptom found in this kind of illness is cough present for a long time. Sometimes doctors often concluded that it is pneumania or flu. Since they affect elders easily and have cough as a primarily symptom. Some symptoms of tuberculosis like losing weight and appetite leads also to other disease. Sometimes gum desease, a digestion problem, cancer, or even bad eating habits.  So in elderly person it is really  hard to see if they are really suffering from this kind of disease.

In my country, there are times children are suffering from coughs for a long period of time. Doctors usually ask if we have elder at home. Primary complex is one of the most problems in the children in my country. And it happened that in my country we don't put our elderly at HOMES. They stayed in the family and been taken care of by their children until death came to them. So, the only times that we knew that our elders suffer from tuberculosis is when our children are also infected by it. I am sharing this to you for a hope that it will help our children to avoid having this kind of disease if elders are at present. And also to help our elder who is commonly affected by this kind of illness.

If the elder acquired the germs earlier in life, it is much easier to administer, because the germs are not resistant to the drugs that will be used to them. But if the germs had been treated and diagnosed yet was not cured after all then its resistance is difficult to control. Meaning they must be treated with special drugs for a while until they get better and the microbe will not transmit to other people. They need to be separated at home and be hospitalized.

Tuberculosis is a contagious disease. It can affect some parts of our organs if not treated properly. So before an elder person spit blood while coughing, they must be diagnosed properly at early stage. An easy and reliable test to see if your elder is infected is through the intra-dermal reaction. It is a skin test. Doctors will isolate the germ by culture and even if found in small amount, it is considered positive. Another reliable test is the throacic Rx, It can detect the exact location of the TB and its position in the lungs.

Treatment should therefore be supervised by a reliable person. Specially if it is a member of a family. The elder should be motivated and encouraged by that person at the commencement of treatment. The best treatment ever is an early detention. Don't make any excuses of illness that may occur because of their age. Nor don't make an assumption of the diseases that may arise. An early detection of such illness will save everyones pocket and the affects of it at home.

We love our elders. And I know you keep them from harm. The best way for them to avoid this kind of illness is prevention. They are old and prone to any kind of virus. So prevention is better than treatment.

So keep our oldies in good shape. Our best interest is to keep them happy and healthy.
Bless you all.