UNS — Indonesia is ranked second with the largest number of Tuberculosis (TB) patients globally based on the World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2020. One of the groups that suffer from TB infection is young people, especially university students.
Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta Hospital Consultant Lung Specialist, dr. Hendrastutik Apriningsih, Sp.P(K), M.Kes., stated that TB usually attacks children and older people because of their vulnerable immune systems. However, dr. Hendrastutik confirmed that TB could affect university students, and there are many risk factors for such infections.
“TB cases are extensive and prevalent. The first (group) is older people with comorbidities or congenital diseases, such as diabetes and cancer. Secondly, young people. It is quite a significant number,” dr. Hendrastutik stated.
Environment and habits are two main causes of university students getting infected by TB. Students who are exhausted from their classes usually forget to eat, which leads to a weakened immune system. Passive smokers are also highly vulnerable to TB bacteria because passive smokers usually have weak immune systems.
University students also often interact with many people who could have an active TB infection. Thus, increasing the risk factors for TB infection for university students.
When a student has a weak immune system, exposure to TB bacteria could directly bring active TB infection with the symptoms of cough with phlegm, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fever for more than two weeks.
If these symptoms occur, students are suggested to get checked by a lung specialist, who could diagnose them and offer an x-ray check-up. If the x-ray results indicate TB infection, the patient should undergo at least six months of treatment.
“TB bacteria are smart. (Thus,) minimum treatment of six months. Without this treatment, the bacteria will become drug-resistant. So, the patient cannot be treated using the standard TB meds, requiring longer treatment,” dr. Hendrastutik stated.
During their treatment, TB patients should take their medicines every day without fail. Failure to perform such diligence could lead to drug-resistant bacteria and worsened organ failure caused by TB infection. Therefore, students with TB symptoms are urged to get themselves checked by a physician. Humas UNS
Reporter: Ida Fitriyah
Editor: Dwi Hastuti