Termunpopular opinionwhich has recently become popular on social media, has shifted its meaning to become a term for someone's beliefs that are considered to be contrary to views that are generally accepted in society. In the context of Tuberculosis (TB), it turns out there are a numberunpopular opinionwhich is still considered taboo to discuss openly. This mostly happens due to a lack of education or the persistence of beliefs passed down from generation to generation, so that false myths are actually more trusted than scientific truth.
Here are threeunpopular opinionabout TB, it's time to become a popular opinion so that misunderstandings stop in this generation.
Men's TB burden is greater than women's
DataGlobal TB Report 2025estimates that of the total number of people infected with TB in 2024, around 54% will be men, 35% will be women, and the remaining 11% will be children and adolescents. This means that the number of men diagnosed with TB is far greater than women in the adult age range.
This gap is also visible in national TB prevalence surveys conducted in a number of countries. The survey consistently shows that men account for 66-75% of the total TB cases in the adult group. This figure is clearly much higher than women in the same age group.
According to WHO, this gap is influenced by biological, social and structural factors. Globally, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking habits are more common in men. From a structural perspective, exposure in the workplace, for example in the mining sector, also increases men's risk of developing this disease. On the other hand, unstable informal work and lack of social protection are the main obstacles for men to access treatment services. This condition is exacerbated by masculinity norms such as the belief that seeking medical help is the same as being weak, which makes many men reluctant to get checked early.
Cheap Eggs Rich in Protein
One of the most common problems experienced by people with TB is a decrease in albumin levels in the blood, an important protein that plays a role in maintaining the body's immunity and the healing process. Usually, this condition occurs due to decreased appetite, inadequate nutritional intake, and an ongoing inflammatory process during illness. Most people think that quality protein can only be obtained from meat and fish. In fact, there are eggs whose nutrition is no less great at a more economical price. This is important considering that TB treatment often causes a catastrophic burden, especially for the lower middle class. In the midst of conditions like these, eggs are a realistic choice without adding to the already heavy economic pressure caused by the disease.
A study from UGM tried to answer this problem by giving TB patients additional egg whites for 14 days. As a result, the albumin levels of patients who received additional egg whites rose higher than patients who only consumed tofu and green beans. Apart from that, the level of inflammation in their bodies also decreased. The researchers concluded that egg whites can speed up the recovery of TB patients because their high quality protein content can increase albumin levels while reducing inflammation in the body.
The Ministry of Health also recommends that people with TB consume around 2-2.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight every day, which is higher than the needs of healthy people in general. Eggs are a recommended source of animal protein because they contain more complete amino acids and are more easily absorbed by the body than vegetable protein. So, eggs are very suitable for helping repair tissue damaged by TB infection. Apart from being superior in terms of nutrition, eggs are also much more affordable and easier to obtain than other sources of animal protein such as beef or fish.
Not transmitted through eating utensils
In fact, many people still believe that TB is transmitted through eating utensils, even though medically this assumption is clearly wrong. TB is transmitted through the air, precisely through droplets of phlegm that come out when coughing, sneezing, talking or singing. These droplets are then inhaled by people around them, enter the respiratory tract, and develop in the lung tissue. Because the transmission process occurs through the air, eating utensils do not play a role in the spread of TB bacteria. That way, as long as they are washed thoroughly using water and dish soap, eating utensils belonging to people with TB are still safe for anyone to use, including those who are healthy.
On the other hand, the habit of separating eating utensils is tantamount to stigmatizing people with TB. This action can make them feel ostracized, as if they are a group that must be shunned. In fact, once he undergoes treatment, the level of disease transmission to him will decrease. This kind of discrimination ultimately only triggers fear which can make people with TB reluctant to continue treatment.
Source:
- https://www.tempo.co/gaya-live/apa-itu-unpopular-opinion-yang-viral-di-twitter--185330
- https://www.who.int/teams/global-programme-on-tuberculosis-and-lung-health/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2025
- https://www.who.int/teams/global-programme-on-tuberculosis-and-lung-health/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2025/featured-topics/tb-and-gender
- https://journal.ugm.ac.id/jgki/article/view/18857
- https://keslan.kemkes.go.id/view_article/2217/peran-protein-lawani-pada-penderita-tbc
