Many Filipinos still mistake TB for an ordinary cough, expert says

BANGKOK, Thailand — Many Filipinos continue to mistake tuberculosis (TB) for an ordinary cough, delaying diagnosis and treatment even though the disease is preventable and curable, a Department of Health (DOH) tuberculosis specialist said. Dr. Rugaiya Calapis, chairperson of the DOH National Capital Region South Tuberculosis Medical Advisory Council, said many patients ignore persistent symptoms and initially rely on over-the-counter medicines instead of consulting a healthcare provider. “Most of the patients we see are already in the later stages of the disease because they think it is just an ordinary cough,” Calapis said in an interview during the Asia-Pacific International Roche Infectious Diseases Symposium 2026 (APAC-IRIDS 2026) held in Bangkok from July 8 to 9. “They think it can be treated with over the counter medicines, but it doesn't get better. By the time they seek medical attention, we are already seeing them quite late,” she added. Calapis urged Filipinos to seek medical attention if they have been coughing for more than two weeks, have persistent fever without an apparent cause, or experience unexplained weight loss. She said tuberculosis can affect anyone, regardless of age, occupation, or socioeconomic status. “In my experience handling TB patients from all walks of life, it doesn't matter whether you're rich or poor. We detect tuberculosis in all sectors of society,” she said. Calapis said household contacts of tuberculosis patients, people living with HIV, individuals with diabetes, and those living in crowded or low income communities are among those at greater risk of developing the disease. Finding cases early To detect infections before they worsen, Calapis said local government units continue to conduct active case finding through the DOH’s National Tuberculosis Program. Health workers regularly visit barangays, often with the support of non-government organizations, bringing mobile chest X-ray vans to screen residents for tuberculosis. People...