David
In August 2004, David from North London was diagnosed with drug-resistant TB. At the time he was drinking too much, sleeping rough and not taking care of himself. David was seriously ill. He knew things had to change but he also needed help and support with his living conditions, not just his TB.
More stories...
David got the support he needed with help from Find & Treat, who work to support the detection, diagnosis and management of TB in hard to reach groups across London. It took two and half years of treatment, but now David is healthy, has his own flat and works as a Find & Treat peer educator; helping those who find themselves in a similar position to where he was just a few years ago.
“Before I had TB, what did I know about TB? I didn’t know much. I was somewhat aware that in the past a lot of people died from it.
“My life was chaotic. I wasn’t at home, I was having problems with accommodation, I wasn’t eating, I was sleeping out, and I was drinking a lot of alcohol. So that in itself brought down my immune system, which I now know contributes to you getting tuberculosis.
“I was coughing for three or four months and the cough was getting worse; then there were the cold sweats. I started to feel really lethargic, I remember being out of breath just going up the road. It got harder to breathe and I knew something was wrong.
“I went to the doctor, but before I could have a chest X-ray I collapsed, because I was so ill. They diagnosed me in hospital with drug resistant TB.
“My TB was drug-resistant and they kept saying, “make sure you take your medication”, “make sure you take your medication”. At the time I didn’t know why; obviously I’m going to take my medication!
“But I had to take at least 16/17 tablets every day. What made it easier was I was put under a team call Find & Treat. I was under what we call Directly Observed Treatment (DOT), so my tablets were given to me three times a week by a social worker - I took them in front of her.
“The support I received from the TB social worker really made a difference and helped me to complete my treatment and recover.
“It’s important to know that TB is not just a medical disease – many emotional and social factors interplay. It’s so important that a TB patient gets appropriate care and support for these issues as well as medical treatment.
“Now I am fully recovered I am working as a peer educator for Find and Treat. I visit hostels, day centres and drug services with the mobile x-ray van, which screens people for TB. I use my experience to connect with people and encourage them to get screened. I also give talks and training to people who are homeless, along with housing providers and healthcare teams.”