Associated Press - July 15, 2004

"TB is too often a death sentence for people with AIDS. It does not have to be this way," said Mandela, who successfully battled tuberculosis while in prison during the apartheid era. He didn't take questions during his brief remarks to reporters at the International AIDS conference.

Tuberculosis is one of the most common diseases that attacks AIDS patients after their immune system has been destroyed by the virus. Many people with HIV die prematurely from TB because they aren't treated in time.

"The world has made defeating AIDS a top priority. This is a blessing, but TB remains ignored," said Mandela, who turns 86 on Sunday.

He noted that mankind has known the cure for TB for more than 50 years. But what has been missing is the "will and the resources to quickly diagnose people with TB and get them the treatment they need."

"We can't fight AIDS unless we do much more to fight TB as well," Mandela said to loud applause by scores of activists, admirers and staff, who joined the packed news conference - the most well-attended at the six-day international conference.

Lights were turned down low and photographers were asked not to use flash to avoid discomforting the ailing former president.

During his 27 years in prison under South Africa's apartheid regime, Mandela had a brief bout with tuberculosis as well as a prostate operation. He had an eye operation in 1994 that repaired tear duct damage caused from crushing limestone rocks while in prison.

After his release in 1990 - a period in which the anti-apartheid hero was elected president - he kept a punishing schedule that sometimes has forced him to take breaks because of exhaustion, leading to frequent rumors of ill health.

Mandela recounted that when he was diagnosed with TB "there were long faces" among his friends, who didn't want him to disclose his illness to others. He said he was completely cured in four months, and urged other TB patients also to not be embarrassed about disclosing their illness.

Worldwide, one third of people living with HIV are co-infected with TB, which causes up to 40% of AIDS deaths.

040715
AP040784

Copyright © 2004 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .