At a glance
In this video, tuberculosis (TB) disease survivors Preeni, Taylor, RJ, and Renee talk about ways they felt supported during their TB treatment.
Preeni
Preeni was diagnosed with multidrug-resistant TB disease. Treating multidrug-resistant TB disease may take a long time, sometimes months or years and the medicines can cause side effects.
Preeni's nurse from the health department helped her when the medication made her nauseous. Her nurse would bring her a milkshake or some other snack. It made Preeni feel supported throughout her treatment.
Taylor
Taylor stayed at home while on treatment until she could no longer spread TB to others. She remembers anxiously waiting for the health department staff to visit her each day.
Small gestures from health department staff, like snacks or other incentives, helped Taylor through a difficult time.
RJ
RJ recalls public health nurses helping him with basic household chores when he was too tired to get out of bed. He is grateful for their help with things like making his bed, washing dishes, and baking cookies.
RJ’s nurses also taught him about TB disease and answered all his questions.
Renee
Renee had to stay at home until she could no longer spread TB to others. She felt scared and alone. Renee connected with other TB patients and survivors through We Are TB. She felt supported talking with other people who understood her experience.
Renee also recalls feeling hope when she found CDC videos describing survivors' experience with TB. She felt comforted by being able to relate to others sharing their stories.
Resources
We are TB, and Somos TB (for Spanish-speakers), is a community of TB survivors, people being treated for TB, and their family members, committed to the common goal of eliminating TB. The group provides comprehensive peer support for current TB patients and TB clinics.