Prevention of Tuberculosis
What is pulmonary tuberculosis?
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a disease of the lungs caused by the germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis or tubercule bacillus.

How is the disease transmitted?
Pulmonary tuberculosis is an airborne disease. When a TB patient coughs or sneezes, small droplets containing the germs are generated and spread in the air.

What are the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis?
The symptoms include persistent cough, blood-stained sputum, loss of body weight, afternoon fever and night sweating.

How can tuberculosis be prevented?
1) Early diagnosis and treatment The disease should be treated early in order to prevent the spread of the germs. Patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis can attend any government chest clinic for treatment.
2) Examination of close contacts This includes tuberculin testing and/or chest x-ray examination for contacts below 5 and chest x-ray examination for older children and adults.
3) Leading a healthy life style The germs attack the lungs when a person's body resistance is reduced. So try to guard yourself by leading a healthy lifestyle, which includes balanced diet, exercise, adequate rest, maintaining a cheerful mood, quit smoking, refraining from alcohol, maintaining good indoor ventilation, personal and environmental hygiene in order to minimize the chance of contracting the illness.
4) BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) vaccination The TB & Chest Service provides BCG vaccination to all newborn and children aged under 15 who have never received BCG vaccination before, to protect them against tuberculosis.
5) Anti-tuberculosis Campaign Regular health talks, exhibitions, etc are organized by the TB & Chest Service to raise public awareness about tuberculosis, and to secure community support to fight against the disease.