If you have not written about the linkages between HIV infection and Tuberculosis, you have not started telling the health story of southern Africa!
TB is the leading killer of people living with HIV today and the media cannot afford to underestimate its seriousness.
Because of the weakening effect of HIV on a patient’s immune system, TB and HIV are closely linked.
HIV is an infection that weakens a person’s immune system and increases the likelihood of People living with HIV (PLHIV) developing or becoming newly infected with active TB.
In PLHIV, TB may present itself in unusual ways and is harder to diagnose. If left untreated or if treatment is delayed, it will speed up the progression of HIV to AIDS, which is why it is crucial to urgently address HIV and TB simultaneously. Integrating HIV and TB services and bringing the services closer to the community are some of the ways in which the two can be addressed simultaneously.
Linking their coverage is another.    

However, it is important to note that very few journalists find the TB story interesting to tell. Others find it “too technical, others find it “boring” while for some it is “difficult to understand.”
Ever tried the human interest angle to “jazz” the TB story up a bit?
Ever tried interviewing a medical practitioner to get an understanding of TB and the challenge it poses?
You can also talk to people in your community and country who have suffered from TB and are living with HIV, and share their story and the challenges they face as a means of lobbying for better service delivery.
How about a day in the life of someone whose partner is co-infected with HIV and TB or just a day in the life of someone on TB treatment as a first step?
You could then investigate how your country is dealing with HIV and TB and do a story on that!
Or look at someone who got TB, got treated and beat it. There is no other way of motivating others to follow suit and take their treatment religiously.
There are many ways of tackling the TB story. This is just to get you started. 

Some facts:

• TB is a disease caused by bacteria, which can attack any part of the body, like the brain, lymph glands and bones but mostly lungs. However only TB of the lungs or throat is infectious
• TB is curable even in the presence of HIV.
• TB is not infectious after two weeks of correct adherence to treatment
• TB drugs work
• Some of the symptoms of Active TB in the lungs include a bad cough, pain in the chest, loss of appetite, weakness or fatigue
• Directly observed treatment short course and other adherence promoting strategies should be used with all patients with HIV related TB 

Do people in your community and country know these facts?
If not, here is your chance to make a difference by writing an article that educates them about TB, that tells them what to look out for and one which encourages people to get regular screens for TB and other diseases. Here is your chance to expand your coverage from encouraging HIV counseling and testing to TB testing as well.

Resources:
www.avert.org
www.plunews.org
SAfAIDS Antiretroviral Treatment Skills and Knowledge Notebook for Community Workers in Southern Africa
SAfAIDS, How Can I check myself for symptoms of TB
www.safaids.org.zw