Local symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on December 10, 2024
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The local symptoms of tuberculosis primarily require us to understand where tuberculosis occurs. Currently, tuberculosis in the lung tissues, trachea, bronchi, and pleura are all classified as pulmonary tuberculosis. The primary local symptoms are still respiratory symptoms, with the most common being cough and expectoration. Patients with tuberculosis generally have a slow onset, with most experiencing cough and expectoration that can persist for two weeks or more. Some patients may also exhibit symptoms like blood in the sputum or hemoptysis. Additionally, some patients may experience other symptoms; for example, those with pleural involvement might have irritative cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, while those with tracheobronchial involvement might exhibit a prolonged irritative cough. Some patients may also develop bronchial stenosis, which can lead to difficulty breathing.

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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 Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Does tuberculosis cause fever?

Does tuberculosis cause fever? The answer is definitely yes. Fever is one of the most common clinical manifestations of tuberculosis. Many tuberculosis patients experience low fevers, and a minority of patients, such as those with caseous tuberculosis or tuberculous pleurisy, may experience high fevers that can recur and persist. Moreover, tuberculosis patients may sometimes also have concurrent bacterial infections, which can cause the fever to last longer and be more difficult to control.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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How is tuberculosis transmitted?

How is pulmonary tuberculosis transmitted? First, we need to know the pathogen of pulmonary tuberculosis, which is the tuberculosis bacillus. Tuberculosis bacillus is a type of bacterium that can live in our surrounding environment. Pulmonary tuberculosis also needs a source of infection, that is, a patient carrying the tuberculosis bacillus. The most common source of tuberculosis infection is usually patients with secondary pulmonary tuberculosis. Then, its mode of transmission mainly includes coughing, sneezing, laughing, and talking loudly, which can release the tuberculosis bacilli from the patient into the air, spreading them through droplets. Droplet transmission is the most important route for the spread of pulmonary tuberculosis. Additionally, pulmonary tuberculosis can also be transmitted through other routes such as the gastrointestinal tract or the skin, although these methods of transmission are less common.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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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 Han Jian Hua
Infectious Disease
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Can tuberculosis be cured?

Early diagnosis and standard treatment can often cure tuberculosis. Tuberculosis requires anti-tuberculosis treatment. Effective anti-tuberculosis treatment must follow five principles: early intervention, proper dosage, combination therapy, regular administration, and full-course treatment to ensure thorough treatment. Consistency is crucial; one must not stop taking medication, substitute drugs, or alter dosages on their own, as doing so not only makes it difficult to cure the disease but also increases the risk of developing drug resistance and complicates treatment further. Additionally, it is important to supplement nutrition appropriately and maintain a healthy diet in daily life. Since tuberculosis is a chronic, debilitating disease, it is advisable to consume foods rich in calories, proteins, and vitamins. Ensuring adequate rest and sleep is vital. Engaging in moderate physical activities, such as outdoor exercises, while avoiding strenuous activities and factors that could exacerbate conditions, such as overexertion, exposure to cold, and catching a cold, is also important.