What should be noted in the diagnosis of tuberculosis combined with AIDS?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

Updated on September 19, 2024

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The diagnosis of tuberculosis in individuals infected with AIDS generally involves examining certain clinical symptoms such as coughing, expectoration, low-grade fever, night sweats, and blood in sputum. Additionally, it requires analysis of specific characteristics in chest imaging, such as tuberculosis lesions identified in chest CT scans that are relatively specific. Microbial tests on sputum, such as sputum culture and acid-fast bacillus smear, are also essential. When necessary, tests for tuberculosis-infected T-cells can be conducted to provide a comprehensive diagnosis. After diagnosing concurrent pulmonary tuberculosis, anti-tuberculosis treatment is required.

Other Voices

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

1min 37sec

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The difference between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis

Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, although only differing by one character in Chinese, are completely different diseases. Sarcoidosis and tuberculosis share some similarities, such as their pathological changes often involving granulomas. However, in tuberculosis, the granulomas are typically caseating, while in sarcoidosis, they are non-caseating. Tuberculosis shows characteristic features under pathological examination, whereas the diagnosis of sarcoidosis is one of exclusion, requiring the ruling out of other various granulomatous diseases. Secondly, their causes are also different; tuberculosis has a very clear cause, being an infectious disease caused by the tuberculosis bacterium. Meanwhile, the cause of sarcoidosis has not been identified clearly and may be related to a variety of factors including genetics, environment, and chemicals, among others. Additionally, the clinical manifestations of both sarcoidosis and tuberculosis are not specific, and both diseases can present symptoms like coughing, expectoration, chest pain, hemoptysis, low or high fever, weight loss, and night sweats. Thus, it is quite difficult to differentiate between sarcoidosis and tuberculosis based on symptoms alone. Moreover, their treatments differ; sarcoidosis is mainly treated with corticosteroids, while the primary treatment for tuberculosis involves anti-tuberculosis therapy.

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Written by Li Hu Chen

Imaging Center

1min 2sec

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Tuberculosis X-ray Chest Radiograph Manifestations

If it is tuberculosis, it is generally visible on an X-ray chest film. Of course, some especially early-stage or tiny lesions might not be detected except by CT. However, typical cases of tuberculosis can be diagnosed with a chest X-ray. Often, on the chest X-ray, the apices of both lungs—the uppermost parts—might show cloud-like, vague shadowy areas that are slightly brighter than the normal lung tissue but with unclear edges. Additionally, there are some cases of secondary tuberculosis, which are more severe, featuring tuberculomas which are more evenly dense and have smoother edges. These can be seen in the lungs. However, such typical severe tuberculomas are becoming less common clinically because medications are used more promptly now, and people seek treatment in a timely manner. Cases like chronic fibrocavitary tuberculosis are becoming increasingly rare, mostly seen in older patients who have been on medication for many years.

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Written by Li Fang Xiao

Internal Medicine

51sec

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What vegetables are good for patients with tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a relatively common disease in clinical practice, and currently, there are many tuberculosis patients in our country. Clinically, it mainly manifests as low-grade fever in the afternoon, as well as coughing up phlegm, blood in the phlegm, and other related issues. It can be definitively diagnosed through tests such as the PPD test and chest CT scans. For tuberculosis patients, dietary adjustments are also necessary. For example, in terms of vegetables, they can eat potatoes, celery, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, etc. The main food should consist of rice and noodles. In terms of protein, it is advisable to eat more meat, eggs, and milk to supplement nutrition. It is important to maintain a light diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

37sec

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Is pulmonary tuberculous effusion contagious?

Pulmonary hydrotuberculosis is actually caused by infection with the tuberculous bacillus, which is commonly referred to as tuberculous pleurisy. Simple tuberculous pleurisy is not contagious, because the lesions are primarily within the pleural cavity, and the pleural cavity is not connected to the outside world. Therefore, simple pulmonary hydrotuberculosis is not contagious. However, if it is accompanied by pulmonary tuberculosis, and if the examination for pulmonary tuberculosis finds tuberculous bacillus in the sputum, then it is contagious in these cases.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

50sec

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Is the disease with symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and palpitations tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis can cause symptoms such as fever, night sweats, cough, and hemoptysis, and in severe cases, it can lead to chest tightness, shortness of breath, and palpitations. However, if a patient experiences shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and palpitations without symptoms like fever, hemoptysis, or night sweats, it is advisable to consider heart disease or chronic lung disease, or pneumonia leading to cardiopulmonary insufficiency. To rule out these conditions, examinations such as a chest CT and cardiac echocardiography should be conducted. Patients experiencing chest tightness and difficulty breathing are advised to seek medical attention at a hospital as soon as possible.