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Pulmonary tuberculosis
Can tuberculosis be cured?
Tuberculosis can be cured if it is detected early and treated promptly with standard anti-tuberculosis therapy, resulting in a very good prognosis. However, it is very unfortunate if detection is delayed or if standard treatment is not administered, as the tuberculosis may recur or infect with drug-resistant strains, causing permanent damage to lung function. Advanced pulmonary lesions or significant hemoptysis can be life-threatening. Currently, the treatment of tuberculosis involves chemotherapy, with principles including early treatment, combination therapy, appropriate dosing, regularity, and completeness, usually lasting at least six months. Common first-line anti-tuberculosis medications include isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Initially, a two-month intensive phase of treatment with isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide is followed by a four-month continuation phase with isoniazid and rifampin. During the treatment of tuberculosis, it is important to enhance one's resistance and immune function and to improve nutrition to facilitate recovery. (Use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can you get tuberculosis on your own?
This question can be interpreted in two ways. First, whether every individual could potentially contract tuberculosis (TB) – to that, the answer is yes. Tuberculosis is a contagious disease, and we are all susceptible to the TB bacterium. Therefore, there is a chance, in our lifetimes, to be infected by the TB bacterium and consequently develop TB. The second interpretation revolves around whether a person could suddenly develop TB without specific reasons. Generally, this does not happen. In other words, a typical person would not contract TB unless they have been exposed to the TB bacterium. This means one does not contract TB arbitrarily; it occurs only after coming into contact with TB patients or the TB bacterium, leading to an infection in the lungs and resulting in TB.
Can tuberculosis be fatal?
Can tuberculosis be fatal? Of course, the answer is yes. Many diseases can lead to death, even a common cold can potentially result in death, let alone tuberculosis, which is an extraordinary illness. Currently, the mortality rate for tuberculosis patients is relatively low because the treatment for tuberculosis has improved significantly compared to the past. However, there are still a small number of patients who, due to untimely treatment of tuberculosis, discontinuation of medications on their own accord or non-compliance with medical advice, or who have other serious underlying diseases, may not tolerate the tuberculosis treatment. As a result, they could potentially die from adverse reactions to the tuberculosis medications.
Does tuberculosis infect people?
Tuberculosis is a contagious disease, and hearing the term "tuberculosis" inevitably makes people nervous. However, not all tuberculosis patients are contagious. Research shows that among tuberculosis patients, only those who have tuberculosis bacteria found in sputum smear tests are contagious. With a source of infection, the tuberculosis bacteria must be transmitted to others through certain routes. Airborne transmission is the main route of transmission for tuberculosis bacteria. When a tuberculosis patient coughs, sneezes, or speaks loudly, they release a large number of droplet nuclei containing tuberculosis bacteria into the air, which can be inhaled by healthy individuals and cause infection. The degree of tuberculosis bacteria infection mainly depends on factors such as the amount of bacteria the patient expels, the severity of coughing symptoms, and the extent of contact. Therefore, when there is a tuberculosis patient nearby, we first need to understand whether they are in the active phase of the disease, that is, expelling bacteria, and whether they are undergoing anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. If the patient has a negative sputum test or has undergone chemotherapy for a positive sputum test, such patients have very low contagiousness, so there is no need to worry too much about being infected.
Symptoms of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis of the lung presents in many forms, as there are also various types of pulmonary tuberculosis, each exhibiting different symptoms. However, the most common symptoms primarily include coughing and expectoration, which are the most typical manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis. The cough in pulmonary tuberculosis is generally mild, either dry or producing only a small amount of phlegm. If the tuberculosis is accompanied by cavities, the amount of phlegm may be larger. If there is a bacterial infection in addition to the tuberculosis, the phlegm may become purulent. Some patients with pulmonary tuberculosis may also experience hemoptysis, which can vary in amount from light to severe. A small number of patients may suffer from chest pain and difficulty breathing. Additionally, there are systemic symptoms associated with pulmonary tuberculosis, such as fever (both low and high fever may occur), night sweats, and fatigue, among others.
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.
Does the BCG vaccine prevent tuberculosis?
The BCG vaccine primarily prevents infection by the tuberculosis bacillus, so it can prevent pulmonary tuberculosis. The protective effect of the BCG vaccine is mainly achieved through inducing a cell-mediated immune response. After vaccination, a primary infection is formed, which is processed by macrophages that transmit the antigen information to immune-active cells, leading to the differentiation and proliferation of T cells and the formation of sensitized lymphocytes. When the body is re-infected with the tuberculosis bacillus, the macrophages and sensitized lymphocytes are activated, causing a specific immune response in the body, thereby resisting the infection by the tuberculosis bacillus. Therefore, the BCG vaccine mainly prevents pulmonary tuberculosis.