A new study calls for urgent action to integrate anti-smoking strategies into the care of people being treated for tuberculosis and HIV.
The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) released a report recently arguing that second-hand smoke must be addressed in the treatment of patients with TB and HIV. The research identifies a critical missed opportunity in TB and HIV programs: smoking and exposure to second hand smoke are known to exacerbate these diseases.
We know that more people who smoke end up having TB, and treatment is less effective. We know that there are more smokers amongst people with TB and HIV. And we know that treatment… for anti-retro-viral therapies is less effective if people smoke.
Dr. Angela Jackson-Morris, Lead Author of the report
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