Abstract

GONCALVES, Helen; COSTA, Juvenal Dias da  and  MENEZES, Ana Maria Baptista. Perceptions and limits: looking at body and disease. Physis [online]. 1999, vol.9, n.1, pp. 151-173. ISSN 0103-7331.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-73311999000100007.

The study shows that some bodily manifestations are considered more serious for the patients than others. The general perception of society about tuberculosis was found to interfere with its cure. Patients and rel atives were interviewed. There were discussions on how the diverse conception of the source and the contagiousness of the disease influenced therapy. The capacity of dealing with the difficulties was found to be related with sociallife. The doctor deals more with the biological aspects of disease giving little attention to the patient and making them more passive. These perspectives show the diverging point of view of patients and doctors in the process of disease and cure.

Keywords : Tuberculosis; social representation; commitment.