• Question: why does patient with TB lose weight

    Asked by ema to Priscilla on 30 Sep 2014.
    • Photo: Priscilla Ngotho

      Priscilla Ngotho answered on 30 Sep 2014:

      Hi ema,

      A very good question. I don’t know the answer. I have had to ask a colleague (Tom, an PhD student on TB in South Africa). The reason for weight loss is because TB is a chronic disease, that means you have it for a long time. You body uses it’s energy resources to fight the disease and not repairing and maintaining the body. Some people have TB+ AIDS so the weight loss is as a result of both. Some types of TB treatments also cause with loss. Scientist including Tom are working hard to find out whether there are other reasons for the symptoms.

Comments