Understanding Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Treatment Options and Concerns
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) Recently, I was taken by the health center in my community for a "latent tuberculosis infection blood test," and the result came back positive. The doctor at the health center said that I need to take medication. There are two option...
Dr. Wang Lanfeng Reply:
Hello: The general impact of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on the human body can be divided into two stages: "infection" and "disease." "Infection" indicates that the tuberculosis bacteria have entered the body, but no organs are affected yet, and there...[Read More] Understanding Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Treatment Options and Concerns
Understanding Tuberculosis Transmission Risks and Testing Procedures
The transmission rate of pulmonary tuberculosis? Hello, Doctor. 1. Last week, while I was sitting and eating at a convenience store near the hospital, an elderly person in a hospital gown was brought in to rest. They coughed several times without wearing a mask. I would like to...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Chen: I apologize for the late reply. The definition of a close contact for tuberculosis (TB) is someone who has been in contact for at least 8 hours in one day or a cumulative total of at least 40 hours in a month. Only then would they be considered for screening as a conta...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Transmission Risks and Testing Procedures
Can Asymptomatic Tuberculosis Be Transmitted to Others?
Transmission of Tuberculosis (TB) Recently, a chest X-ray revealed a white shadow in the left upper lobe, and the doctor suspects it may be tuberculosis. However, there are no symptoms such as cough, sputum production, or chest pain. Is this contagious to others?
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: If tuberculosis is confirmed and the sputum test shows the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the patient is still infectious; however, if there is no significant cough, the infectiousness is lower.[Read More] Can Asymptomatic Tuberculosis Be Transmitted to Others?
Can Cold Medications Affect Tuberculosis Treatment Effectiveness?
Will catching a cold while taking tuberculosis medication cause a relapse? In the case of tuberculosis (TB), taking cold medicine will not help with the symptoms of TB. However, I have been on tuberculosis medication for almost six months now. Is there a possibility that I could ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Tuberculosis (TB) requires a regular treatment course of 6 to 9 months, and it will not worsen during treatment (unless there is drug resistance). Worsening is defined as the reappearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum tests and an increase in the extent of lesion...[Read More] Can Cold Medications Affect Tuberculosis Treatment Effectiveness?
Understanding Treatment Failure in Lymphatic Tuberculosis: Causes and Solutions
Lymphatic tuberculosis In March of this year, I was diagnosed with lymphatic tuberculosis, and the drug sensitivity test showed effectiveness. However, after four months of medication, the lymphatic secretions still tested positive, indicating treatment failure. The original regi...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello, if the treatment has truly failed, we still need to wait for the culture report. If the culture is positive and identifies Mycobacterium tuberculosis, we will need to rely on the results of the drug sensitivity test to select the appropriate medication. Currently, we can s...[Read More] Understanding Treatment Failure in Lymphatic Tuberculosis: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Persistent Body Heat and Weakness Without Fever
Generalized warmth (without fever) and overall weakness? Hello Doctor, Patient: Female, 58 years old. No fever but experiencing generalized warmth and weakness. Medical History: The patient's temperature has fluctuated between 36°C and 37.5°C over the past two weeks, wit...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Dear Ms. Yang, The patient has experienced coughing, yellow sputum, fever, and fatigue, which suggest a lower respiratory tract infection (involving the bronchi and lungs). The chest X-ray shows no significant infiltrates, indicating that it may simply be a case of bronchiectasi...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Body Heat and Weakness Without Fever
Understanding Tuberculosis Management: Why Home Isolation May Be Recommended
Worried individuals I have a friend whose father has tuberculosis, and the doctor didn't force him to be hospitalized for isolation. Isn't that outrageous?! They actually told him to go home. How should the doctor address this situation?
Dr. Huang Ruiming Reply:
Dear concerned individual: In Taiwan, there are over 13,000 new cases of tuberculosis (TB) reported each year. Not every patient requires hospitalization. Generally, if a patient has a positive sputum smear, they are considered to be more contagious, and the physician may recomme...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Management: Why Home Isolation May Be Recommended
Understanding Cavitation in the Right Upper Lung: Tuberculosis Insights
Right upper lung perforation? Recently, a CT scan confirmed a cavitary lesion in the right upper lung. I am curious about the duration it typically takes for tuberculosis bacteria to cause cavitation, especially since there have been no typical symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis ...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, the phenomenon of cavitation does not occur within a specific timeframe, and it is possible to be asymptomatic. Additionally, the progression from Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection to active disease is not a matter of days; it can take several weeks or more. Thank you f...[Read More] Understanding Cavitation in the Right Upper Lung: Tuberculosis Insights
Understanding Potential Tuberculosis Diagnosis: Key Questions and Next Steps
Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis? Hello Doctor, In June, during a medical examination for studying abroad, a chest X-ray revealed a fibrotic calcified nodule in the upper lobe of my right lung. The examining physician suggested that it might be a scar from a past tuberculosis...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, 1. If there were no abnormalities in the chest X-ray six years ago and there are now significant lesions, the likelihood of an active lesion is greater (unless there has been a history of other lung diseases in the past six years). 2. If there is a lesion in the right ...[Read More] Understanding Potential Tuberculosis Diagnosis: Key Questions and Next Steps
Understanding Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Treatment, Transmission, and Duration
excuse me? What is tuberculous pleurisy, how is it treated, is it contagious, and what is the typical duration of treatment?
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello, AM: Tuberculous pleuritis (pleural effusion) refers to pleural effusion caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. If sputum tests do not reveal the presence of the tuberculosis bacteria (as some individuals may concurrently have pulmonary tuberculosis), it is no...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Treatment, Transmission, and Duration
Understanding Latent Tuberculosis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Transmission Risks
Non-open pulmonary tuberculosis After several days of antibiotic injections, the fluid accumulation has not improved, and my brother is still in pain! He underwent a pleural biopsy, which initially indicated that he has non-open pulmonary tuberculosis. Today, he had a bronchoscop...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, Ah-Jhe. 1. The pleural biopsy has been determined to be tuberculous pleuritis. A bronchoscopy should be performed to investigate the possibility of pulmonary or bronchial tuberculosis or other diseases, as well as to collect respiratory specimens for culture. 2. If Myco...[Read More] Understanding Latent Tuberculosis: Symptoms, Treatment, and Transmission Risks
Understanding How Tuberculosis Bacteria Develop Drug Resistance
How do Mycobacterium tuberculosis develop drug resistance? Hello, Dr. Jian. I heard that irregular medication for tuberculosis can lead to drug resistance. How long does one need to interrupt medication for drug resistance to occur, and how does drug resistance develop? Thank you...
Dr. Jian Linzhen Reply:
The reason for the development of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is due to mutations in genes on the chromosome. Under natural conditions, the probability of such mutations occurring is extremely low. If a patient receives a proper regimen that includes at least is...[Read More] Understanding How Tuberculosis Bacteria Develop Drug Resistance
Understanding Tuberculosis: Open vs. Closed Pulmonary TB Explained
Tuberculosis (TB) The sputum test did not show the presence of tuberculosis bacteria, but during the bronchoscopy, the pleural tissue sample indicated a positive reaction for tuberculosis bacteria in the bronchi. Is this indicative of open pulmonary tuberculosis, closed pulmonary...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: If the specimen obtained from the bronchi contains tuberculosis bacteria, it is still infectious, but the infectiousness is lower. Additionally, it is necessary to confirm whether the bacteria are indeed identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis; please discuss this with yo...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Open vs. Closed Pulmonary TB Explained
Understanding Lung Cancer vs. Tuberculosis: Key Differences and Risks
Regarding the lungs? Hello, what are the differences between lung cancer and tuberculosis? Is lung cancer contagious? My grandfather is 76 years old and seems to have some lung issues recently. The doctor has recommended a CT scan, and I'm worried about whether he is in dang...
Dr. Qu Changke Reply:
Hello, Ida: Tuberculosis is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is infectious, classified as a notifiable communicable disease. Lung cancer, on the other hand, is caused by cellular mutations leading to malignancy and is not contagious. When lung cancer is suspected, a c...[Read More] Understanding Lung Cancer vs. Tuberculosis: Key Differences and Risks
Understanding Tuberculosis: Diagnosis and Next Steps for Patients
Pulmonary tuberculosis Hello Doctor: I went to Mackay Memorial Hospital for an examination in early November, and the X-ray showed abnormalities. The doctor prescribed a week of antibiotics for me, and after a week, the X-ray showed no changes (the findings were the same as the X...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: A positive sputum culture is mostly indicative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which would suggest open pulmonary tuberculosis. However, a portion may be non-tuberculous mycobacteria, which requires further identification of the species. Traditional methods take about a mon...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Diagnosis and Next Steps for Patients
Understanding Tuberculous Meningitis: Key Considerations for Patients
Tuberculous meningitis Hello Dr. Chou, I would like to ask you about a patient who has an implanted cardiac rhythm device. What precautions should be taken if a lumbar puncture is required? Additionally, the patient tested positive for tuberculosis, but imaging scans showed no s...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: 1. Generally speaking, the location of lumbar puncture is far from the pacemaker and should not have any significant impact. 2. According to the description, the physician diagnosed extrapulmonary tuberculosis as a clinical diagnosis, not based on laboratory evidence (i.e....[Read More] Understanding Tuberculous Meningitis: Key Considerations for Patients
Understanding Open Tuberculosis: Risks, Symptoms, and Family Precautions
Open pulmonary tuberculosis Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my concern as a colleague in my spouse's company has recently been confirmed to have "open pulmonary tuberculosis" by the hospital. I would like to ask the following questions: 1. What is the lik...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Tuberculosis is a disease caused by the invasion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the human body. The transmission route for pulmonary tuberculosis is airborne. The likelihood of infection depends on the bacterial load in the air (for example, the amount of bacteria expe...[Read More] Understanding Open Tuberculosis: Risks, Symptoms, and Family Precautions
Understanding Post-Tuberculosis Symptoms and Throat Infections
Excuse me? Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask a few questions. I previously had open pulmonary tuberculosis and have since recovered, but after having an X-ray, it was noted that old scars are more pronounced. I was advised to undergo sputum testing because I currently have throa...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Hello: A: I recently recovered from open pulmonary tuberculosis, but after getting an X-ray, the old scars appeared more prominent, and I was advised to undergo sputum testing. May I ask if the bacteria can remain in the throat, or do they only reside in the lungs? Q: The bacteri...[Read More] Understanding Post-Tuberculosis Symptoms and Throat Infections
Can I Contract Tuberculosis from a Friend's Family Member?
Is it possible to contract it? A family member of my friend has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and is currently in an isolation ward. I have had contact with my friend. Is it possible for me to contract the bacteria? If so, could I be asymptomatic or transmit it to my family? C...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Dear Sir/Madam, Individuals who have been exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis may be at risk of infection. When an infectious pulmonary tuberculosis patient coughs or sneezes, airborne droplets containing the bacteria can be inhaled by a healthy person, leading to infection. A...[Read More] Can I Contract Tuberculosis from a Friend's Family Member?
Understanding Atypical Tuberculosis: Key Differences and Treatment Insights
What is atypical tuberculosis? I would like to ask the doctor about the difference between open pulmonary tuberculosis and atypical pulmonary tuberculosis. When I sought medical attention, the doctor diagnosed me with atypical pulmonary tuberculosis and informed me that there is ...
Dr. Zhang Zhengda Reply:
Dear Sir/Madam, The source of tuberculosis infection is the genus Mycobacterium, which is divided into two categories: the first is the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, commonly referred to as tuberculosis. The second is non-tuberculous mycobacteria, which includes slow-growi...[Read More] Understanding Atypical Tuberculosis: Key Differences and Treatment Insights