Kalinga health official: Don't ignore a cough lasting over two weeks—early TB treatment saves lives

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Provincial Medical Coordinator Dr. Marvin Jambaro is urging the public not to ignore symptoms of tuberculosis (TB), stressing that seeking medical attention at the first sign of the disease is the best way to protect both patients and their families.

According to Jambaro, early detection and proper treatment are critical in preventing the spread of tuberculosis and reducing the risk of life-threatening complications.

"TB ket public health threat nga uray sino pwede mahawa ditoy nga sakit. TB ket preventable and treatable but it is deadly if not recognized early and managed properly. Maging responsibilidad tayo kuma kadagiti marikrikna tayo, lalo nu aguyek tayun iti more than two weeks, adda dara ti plema, gurigor, panagkuttong, ken nu na-expose tayo iti aktibo nga TB nga pasyente, apan tayo kuma iti asideg nga facilidad, RHU wenno hospital," Jambaro said.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most commonly attacks the lungs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease spreads through the air when a person with active TB coughs, sneezes, or spits.

The WHO also reported that 1.23 million people died from TB in 2024, including 150,000 people living with HIV, making tuberculosis the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious disease.

Jambaro warned that when TB goes undetected or untreated, it can cause permanent lung damage, spread to other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys, and spine, and eventually become fatal. An untreated patient can also unknowingly infect many other people, making early diagnosis and prompt treatment essential in protecting the entire community.

Data from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO), headed by Dr. Edward Tandingan, showed that Kalinga recorded 915 TB cases in 2024, which declined to 588 cases in 2025. From January to May 2026, the province recorded 415 cases.

Jambaro attributed the province's positive treatment outcomes to the continued efforts of health workers, active case finding, contact tracing, and proper patient management. However, he emphasized that the success of the TB control program also depends on the cooperation of the public.

He encouraged anyone experiencing a cough that lasts for more than two weeks, coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, fever, night sweats, or those who have been exposed to an active TB patient to immediately visit the nearest Rural Health Unit (RHU) or hospital for free screening and treatment.

"Napintas ti program tayo iti TB iti province tayo a Kalinga. As to treatment outcome, contact tracing and management, ket active tayo. Itultuloy tayo ti agtitinulong to fight against TB para mas ma-improve tayo pay daytoy a programa tapno mas maited tayo iti mas mayat nga serbisyo iti komunidad tayo ditoy Kalinga," he added.

Health officials continue to remind the public that tuberculosis is both preventable and curable. Completing the full course of prescribed medication, attending regular follow-up checkups, and seeking medical care as soon as symptoms appear remain the most effective ways to stop the spread of the disease and save lives.