The Covid-19 epidemic negatively affected those suffering from Tuberculosis

Cyprus International University (CIU) School of Health Sciences Academic Staff Prof. Dr. Hatice Sütçü Çiçek, referring to a statement made by the World Health Organization in May 2020, noted that the estimated number of deaths due to tuberculosis increased by 400 thousand in one year, reaching to a total of 1.89 million, and pointed out that the deaths of tuberculosis patients was increased due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

Although tuberculosis is preventable and treatable, for many years it has been one of the most common and fatal infectious diseases in the world, with Çiçek reminding that there has been a decrease in the possibility of treatment and an increase in the costs with the spreading of the drug-resistant tuberculosis bacillus.

Stating that tuberculosis and Covid-19 are infectious diseases that primarily attack the lungs, both diseases display similar symptoms such as a cough, fever and difficulty in breathing. “Increased body temperature in the evenings, loss of appetite, weakness, weight loss and bleeding from the mouth when coughing are symptoms specific to the tuberculosis disease and awareness of these symptoms should be increased among individuals” Prof. Dr. Çiçek went on to advise.

Cicek pointed out that diagnoses and the treatment of individuals suffering from tuberculosis have been affected due to people coexisting in crowded environments due to the Covid-19 outbreak, which has increased the risk of transmitting or contracting the disease and stated that for this reason it is a healthier approach for tuberculosis patients to receive treatment at home.

“Alternative arrangements should be made during the Covid-19 process for patients suffering from tuberculosis”.
Prof. Dr. Cicek also stated that establishing alternative arrangements for these patients is important, such as a reduction in clinical visits, restricting their appointments to certain times in an effort to avoid contact with other patients and continuing directly monitored tuberculosis treatments using digital technologies.