What department should tuberculosis patients visit?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 14, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
39sec home-news-image

Is tuberculosis serious?

Tuberculosis is a relatively serious disease, but if it is treated and managed promptly in the early stages, it often can be brought under control and most cases can completely recover. If the disease is allowed to progress unchecked, it can develop from ordinary tuberculosis into an especially severe form of the disease, even endangering life and leading to extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The severity of tuberculosis depends largely on the extent of damage to the lungs and whether there is extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Once tuberculosis is confirmed, scientifically sound and appropriate anti-tuberculosis treatment should be undertaken.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
56sec home-news-image

Does tuberculosis cause coughing?

Do tuberculosis patients cough? Most tuberculosis patients can experience coughing, and the duration of the cough is generally quite long, often exceeding two to three weeks and in some cases even reaching over six months to a year. However, there is also a small number of patients who might not cough due to the different types of tuberculosis they have. Additionally, not all cases of coughing indicate tuberculosis. A tuberculosis patient might cough, but they might also not cough, and while a person who coughs could possibly have tuberculosis, not all coughs are due to tuberculosis. There is no definitive equivalence between tuberculosis and coughing. I hope this explanation helps you understand the relationship between tuberculosis and coughing. Thank you.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
1min 13sec home-news-image

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a disease where the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects the lungs. It is a persistent bacterium that grows slowly. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease and quite common historically, often referred to as consumption in the past, as mentioned in the novels of Lu Xun. In modern times, tuberculosis is relatively manageable if the infection has not developed resistance to drugs. Proper anti-tuberculosis treatment can result in a cure rate exceeding 90% on the first attempt. However, if the treatment is not adhered to correctly—if the patient stops taking the medication prematurely or does not follow the prescribed regimen—the bacteria may develop resistance, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. This is particularly problematic in elderly patients, who might also experience adverse reactions to tuberculosis medications, making treatment difficult. Thus, while tuberculosis is generally treatable, infections with drug-resistant strains can be fatal if not managed properly.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
48sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Han Jian Hua
Infectious Disease
1min 19sec home-news-image

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.