TB Research

Mental Health and Tuberculosis—Holding Our Breath in Isolation

Rena Fukunaga, Patrick K. Moonan

Emerging infectious diseases · 2024-02

Abstract

P aulina Siniatkina, an artist and activist, is a survi- vor of tuberculosis (TB).In 2015, in a TB hospital on the outskirts of Moscow, the treating physician advised her to never talk about her TB diagnosis to anyone-further reinforcing the longstanding stigma associated with the disease.During her 7 months of treatment in isolation, Paulina experienced firsthand the suffering and loss associated with TB and turned to art to express her emotions and frustrations.She now uses her artistic talent and personal experience to advocate in the global fight against TB, and her work has drawn international recognition by the American Medical Association and World Health Organization.This month's cover image, Don't speak!, by Ms. Siniatkina, exemplifies the poignant psychology associated with TB.At the center, a young woman with

MeSH terms

  • Tuberculosis
  • Isolation (microbiology)
  • Medicine
  • Mental health
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Environmental health
  • Virology