Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis

Written by Hu Xue Jun
Pulmonology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Now let me talk about the symptoms of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can invade many organs, with pulmonary tuberculosis being the most common. The main symptoms are respiratory symptoms and systemic symptoms. The respiratory symptoms are mainly manifested as coughing, expectoration for more than two weeks, or blood in the sputum, which are common suspicious symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Generally, the cough is mild, either dry or with a small amount of mucus. When cavities form, the amount of sputum may increase, and if there is a secondary bacterial infection, the sputum may become purulent. If there is concomitant bronchial tuberculosis, it will manifest as an irritating cough. About one-third of patients will experience hemoptysis, and some may experience massive hemoptysis. If the tuberculosis lesions involve the pleura, it can manifest as chest pain. Dyspnea is more common in patients with caseous pneumonia or those with a large amount of pleural effusion. These are local symptoms. Systemic symptoms mainly manifest as fever, which is the most common manifestation, often as long-term afternoon fever, meaning it begins to rise in the afternoon or evening, drops in the morning, and then returns to normal. Some patients may also experience fatigue, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, etc. Women of childbearing age may experience menstrual disorders, etc.

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Written by Han Shun Li
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Early symptoms of tuberculosis

In the early stages of tuberculosis, as the condition is relatively mild, many patients have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Typical symptoms include coughing, expectoration, night sweats, fatigue, low-grade fever, poor appetite, and weight loss, but these are not specific to tuberculosis. If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, tuberculosis should be suspected, and a chest x-ray or other examinations should be performed for further clarification. If the x-ray suggests tuberculosis, further tests such as a tuberculin skin test should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
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How to test for tuberculosis

To examine pulmonary tuberculosis, it is essential to understand that it pertains to tuberculosis changes in the lung tissue, airways, bronchi, and pleura. The pathogen causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, also known as the tubercle bacillus. There are multiple tests available for people with pulmonary tuberculosis, as the disease can vary based on location and type. Therefore, such patients generally require numerous tests. The most commonly used are imaging studies for the chest, including X-rays and CT scans. In imaging studies, most patients will show some lesions, but there are instances where tuberculosis in the airways and bronchi might not be clearly visible on CT or X-rays, necessitating more invasive tests like bronchoscopy. Additionally, bacteriological examinations, such as sputum smear and pleural fluid smear, as well as culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, are typically conducted for patients. Nowadays, hospitals equipped with the necessary facilities conduct molecular biological tests, namely nucleic acid testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA. Furthermore, some patients with complex conditions may require a histopathological biopsy, commonly referred to as tissue sampling, at the site of the lesion to observe under a microscope for characteristic changes indicative of tuberculosis. There are also immunological tests that assist in diagnosing tuberculosis, such as the gamma interferon release assay (commonly known as the T-SPOT), tuberculin skin test, and traditional antibody tests against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Does tuberculosis cause coughing at night?

Patients with tuberculosis often experience coughing at night, as well as in the early morning. Coughing and expectorating phlegm are common symptoms of tuberculosis. They are often accompanied by low-grade fever, night sweats, afternoon fever flush, weight loss, and blood in the sputum. In severe cases, symptoms can include chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Tuberculosis can be completely cured. Once it is confirmed as a tuberculosis infection, it is necessary to undergo scientific and reasonable anti-tuberculosis treatment, taking into account the actual circumstances.

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Written by Han Shun Li
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Can people with tuberculosis eat lamb?

Tuberculosis is a very common infectious disease in our country. After contracting tuberculosis, symptoms often include coughing, phlegm, hemoptysis, chest pain, low fever, night sweats, fatigue, poor appetite, and weight loss. Generally speaking, as long as one is not allergic to mutton, it can be consumed. However, if the patient has significant poor appetite and weak digestive function, it is better to eat less or avoid mutton to prevent worsening the symptoms due to indigestion. If the digestive function is still relatively good, eating mutton is alright as it is nutritious and can provide energy, benefiting the patient's recovery.

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Is tuberculosis contagious?

Firstly, pulmonary tuberculosis is contagious, but it also depends on the type. Generally, pulmonary tuberculosis is most contagious during its active phase, but some patients with fibrosis and in a stable phase are not contagious. The transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis is mainly through droplets, spread by talking, sneezing, or spitting from a tuberculosis patient to a healthy person. However, this droplet transmission has a distance requirement. We believe that a distance of more than 1 meter is relatively safe, and 2 meters is absolutely safe. To prevent the transmission of tuberculosis, it is essential to maintain a distance from tuberculosis patients, wear masks, and ensure frequent ventilation by opening windows.