Is tuberculosis easily contagious?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Whether tuberculosis (TB) is easily transmitted primarily depends on the source of infection, which refers to the TB patients and the amount of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in their sputum. If TB bacilli can be detected in their sputum, and the quantity is substantial, then their infectiousness is indeed higher. However, if the TB patient has undergone treatment, or if there are only a few TB bacilli in their sputum, or none at all, then their infectiousness may not be as significant. The second factor is the mode of transmission, which mainly occurs through the respiratory tract. If TB patients can be isolated timely, or if they wear masks, and their sputum is properly managed, for example by wrapping the sputum in paper and burning it, then they are less likely to transmit the disease to others. TB generally involves susceptibility issues; even if someone has been vaccinated with BCG or the TB vaccine, they can still be reinfected. Therefore, controlling these three transmission pathways is essential to minimize the risk of contracting TB.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
1min 38sec home-news-image

Does tuberculosis cause a runny nose?

Do patients with tuberculosis have a runny nose? First, we need to understand what tuberculosis is. The pathogen of tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, commonly referred to as TB bacillus. Its primary site of infection is the lungs, but now we also classify and manage tracheobronchial and tuberculous pleurisy under pulmonary tuberculosis. However, these sites do not include the nasal part. Generally, patients with pulmonary tuberculosis show symptoms of the respiratory system and systemic symptoms. The most common respiratory symptoms include coughing and phlegm production for more than two weeks. Some patients may also experience hemoptysis, with varying amounts from mild to severe. A few patients may also experience chest pain. Additionally, patients with caseous pneumonia or significant pleural effusion may experience difficulty in breathing. Systemic symptoms of tuberculosis include fever, mainly characterized by afternoon tidal fever, with some patients exhibiting high fevers, and other general symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats, and fatigue. However, the majority of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis do not exhibit nasal symptoms, meaning a runny nose is generally not a manifestation of tuberculosis. It could be possible that a tuberculosis patient might also have other infections or causative diseases, such as allergic rhinitis.

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Written by Hu Xue Jun
Pulmonology
1min 36sec home-news-image

Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis

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 Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Can tuberculosis be cured?

Tuberculosis can actually be completely cured, primarily through anti-tuberculosis treatment. If it is confirmed to be active tuberculosis, systematic and standardized anti-tuberculosis treatment is required. Through scientific and reasonable anti-tuberculosis treatment and taking medication on time and according to guidelines, most tuberculosis patients can be cured, with a cure rate reaching 85%. The treatment includes an intensive phase of anti-tuberculosis treatment and a consolidation phase, with the total course of treatment being about six months. After being cured, it is not easy to relapse, but it is essential to take medications on time, adjust nutrition, modify work and rest schedules, and rest well.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
40sec home-news-image

Does tuberculosis get inherited?

Is tuberculosis hereditary? Tuberculosis is not a hereditary disease; it is an infectious disease. Infectious diseases and hereditary diseases are two completely different concepts. Tuberculosis is generally infectious, which means that in a family, if parents are infected, they can easily transmit the tuberculosis bacteria to their children or others around them. Therefore, many people might mistakenly believe that tuberculosis is hereditary. However, this is not the case; tuberculosis is transmitted through the tuberculosis bacteria.

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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.