Can tuberculosis relapse?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Tuberculosis can relapse, and the answer is definitely yes. In clinical practice, we see many patients who have had tuberculosis and, years later, experience a recurrence of the disease, even multiple recurrences. However, the probability of this is generally not high. As long as everyone follows the doctor's instructions for standard anti-tuberculosis treatment and completes the full course of treatment, most patients can be cured. However, there are a few people whose treatment process is not standard, or who stop taking their medication on their own, and these actions can increase the risk of tuberculosis recurrence.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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What department should tuberculosis patients visit?

For tuberculosis, you can visit the Department of Infectious Diseases. Infectious diseases or respiratory medicine are suitable options, and if a hospital doesn't have these specialized departments, you can consider visiting the Center for Disease Control. In smaller hospitals, below the secondary level, where such specific departments may not be available, you might also consider seeing the Department of General Internal Medicine. General Internal Medicine or typical internal medicine departments can also handle this. However, our first recommendation would still be the Respiratory Medicine Department. Some hospitals combine Infectious Diseases with other related departments, making them the preferred choice for tuberculosis patients as these departments likely have the most experience in treating such diseases.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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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.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Does early-stage pulmonary tuberculosis cause fever?

Early stage tuberculosis patients generally exhibit clinical symptoms such as fever, primarily low-grade fever in the afternoon, along with coughing, hemoptysis, chest pain, chest tightness, and additional symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats. These are very common and typical clinical symptoms of tuberculosis. Therefore, fever is very common in the early stages of tuberculosis. Consequently, once tuberculosis is accurately diagnosed in patients, it is crucial to promptly administer antitubercular drugs for systematic treatment. Usually, with a treatment duration of 6-9 months, the symptoms of early-stage tuberculosis and fever can be effectively controlled.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Does tuberculosis cause a runny nose?

Individuals with tuberculosis, if accompanied by a cold and rhinitis, will also experience a runny nose. However, simple tuberculosis, without any upper respiratory infections or rhinitis, does not lead to a runny nose. Therefore, it is important to accurately analyze the issue. Common symptoms of tuberculosis include persistent coughing, coughing up phlegm, low-grade fever, night sweats, bloody sputum, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, among others. Once tuberculosis is definitively diagnosed, it is essential to commence timely and scientifically sound anti-tuberculosis treatments. Most cases can be completely cured.

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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.