Flu vaccination still needed despite a decrease in cases
Non-pharmaceutical interventions during lockdown resulted in fewer influenza cases but the threat of a resurgence of flu still remains.
10th SA AIDS Conference: Ending AIDS amid pandemics
South Africa hosted its 10th SA AIDS Conference this week and this year’s theme is ‘Ending AIDS amid Pandemics’.
Posted in: News
In Focus: Global strategy to end cryptococcal meningitis in people living with HIV
Cryptococcal meningitis is the second biggest killer of people living with HIV after tuberculosis (TB). Now, a global initiative, the Ending Cryptococcal Meningitis Deaths by 2030 Strategic Framework aims to get the gold standard drug to treat the disease – flucytosine – registered in countries that need it. By Amy Green for Spotlight and Health-e News.
Posted in: News
‘Losing her to TB was the most painful thing I ever went through as a parent,’- a mother shares her story
A mother shares the story of how she adopted an HIV-positive teenager to give her a better life, and the pain of losing the child to tuberculosis (TB).
Posted in: News
Op-ed: Global Covid-19 vaccine race shows why South Africa must prioritise our own research and development
Faced with inadequate access to essential treatments, South Africa must prioritise health research and development. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how poor and marginalised South Africans are affected by international factors, and so it is essential to include communities in advocating for better homegrown research and development, writes community activist Ntando Yola.
Posted in: Opinion & Profiles
New technology and a hotline to protect Gauteng health workers and patients against TB
A new device can help health care workers better protect themselves against TB. At high risk, frontline workers say more must be done to protect them against contracting TB at work.
Posted in: News, Tuberculosis (TB)
The fight against COVID-9 has taken resources from other diseases like TB
The fight against COVID-19 has seen massive resources being shifted from other diseases, including for tuberculosis (TB), resulting in the scaling down health programmes.
Posted in: News
#WorldTBDay: ‘I never thought that a person like me at such a young age could be diagnosed with TB’
Childhood and adolescent tuberculosis (TB) is common and often more difficult to diagnose and treat. Health-e News spoke to two TB survivors who had the disease while they were just 14 and 18 and about the special challenges having TB as a teen.
Posted in: News
New data shows ‘global impact of COVID-19 on TB epidemic is worse than expected’
Over a million additional cases of tuberculosis (TB) went undiagnosed and untreated in the last year due to the impact of COVID-19-related lockdowns, significantly setting back the global effort to end TB by a massive 12 years, according to new data.
Posted in: News
Doctors warn against families bringing unhealthy food into hospitals
Mageu may be an old favourite and sweets may cheer the patient up, but these foods could hinder your loved one’s recovery. Botshabelo District Hospital is concerned about the unhealthy foods families bring for admitted patients. Instead, they advise these healthier alternatives.
Posted in: News
Rural disabled left in the dark when it comes to their rights
People living with disabilities in rural KwaZulu-Natal have very little access to information about their rights which is making their lives more difficult.
Posted in: Disability, News, Rural Health
#WorldTBDay: TB meds, a bitter pill for children and parents to swallow
With one of the world’s highest rates of tuberculosis infection, South Africa’s approach to fighting paediatric TB needs to be multi-pronged.
Posted in: News
Activist concerned about lack of TB medication for children
Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is difficult to cope with for many adults who find themselves with the disease, and the amount of time it takes to manage it is frustrating. The situation is worse when a child has it and the treatment available is not suited to their needs.
Posted in: OurHealth
Winning the fight against TB
South Africa is one of the few countries globally to have completely switched to offering shorter regimens for treating tuberculosis (TB). And the results can already be seen.
Posted in: News
Survivors and activists demand increased action against TB
While the almost 70% price reduction in important tuberculosis prevention drug Rifapentine for 100 countries with significant TB epidemics is a breakthrough, the high cost of newer drugs remains a barrier.
Posted in: News