1 out of 5 deaths among people living with HIV is due to TB —DOH

One of out of five fatalities among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) is caused by tuberculosis (TB), the Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday.

"Mas mataas ang posibilidad na magka-TB ang isang PLHIV dahil sa mahinang immune system," it added.

(The possibility of a PLHIV to contract TB is high due to the weak immune system.)

The DOH said if the TB is not treated immediately, it may lead to serious complications and even death.

"Ang HIV at TB co-infection ay maiiwasan sa pamamagitan ng regular na TB screening, tuloy-tuloy na pag-inom ng antiretroviral therapy (ART), at paggamit ng Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT)," the DOH said.

(HIV and TB co-infection may be prevented via regular TB screening, continuous antiretroviral therapy, and Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment.)

The department also said ART and TPT are available at HIV Care facilities.

The DOH issued the advisory in observance of National Lung Month in August and National Tuberculosis Day on August 19.

Last March during the observance of World Tuberculosis Day, the DOH raised concerns over the persistently high number of tuberculosis cases in the Philippines, emphasizing the need for stronger prevention, early detection, and treatment efforts to combat the deadly infectious disease.

“In the Philippines, we reported 546,452 TB cases in 2024. While that's lower than the previous year, we are still far from our goal of a TB-free Philippines,” DOH Secretary Herbosa said in a video message. 

“But there is progress. We've seen a slight decrease in TB-related deaths from 20,605 in 2022 to 20,588 in 2023. Though small, these victories show we are on the right track. Still, we must do more,” he added. 

According to the World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, the Philippines is among the top five countries accounting for 56% of the world’s total TB cases. 

Among the symptoms of TB is a cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer.

Meanwhile, as of June, there were 148,831 cases of HIV in the Philippines.

The DOH said then that the number of young Filipinos infected with HIV has increased by 500%. —KG, GMA Integrated News