Reporting Discrimination Against Tuberculosis Patients in Hospitals
Pulmonary tuberculosis If you encounter discrimination against tuberculosis patients in a hospital, you can report it to the following authorities: 1. The hospital's patient advocacy or ombudsman office. 2. The local health department or public health agency. 3. The state m...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Robin: That's a great question. This has been a longstanding issue, and such behavior exists in hospitals. You can submit your concerns to the hospital director's mailbox, and we will strengthen education in that department. Thank you. Huang Yi-Wen[Read More] Reporting Discrimination Against Tuberculosis Patients in Hospitals
Understanding CA125 Levels: Implications for Lung Health and Beyond
CA125 test The CA-125 value from the company's health check is 48. Since I smoke, could this be related to lung issues? Most of the information I found seems to focus on gynecology, but some mention that abnormal values related to the gastrointestinal or lungs should be addr...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Meiluxi, CA125 is a tumor marker that many women are familiar with, but may not fully understand. Many people mistakenly believe that a CA125 level greater than 35 strongly indicates ovarian cancer, which can lead to unnecessary worry. In reality, the most common condition ...[Read More] Understanding CA125 Levels: Implications for Lung Health and Beyond
Understanding Tuberculosis Testing: X-rays, Interferon, and More
Tuberculosis Screening Currently, the tests for tuberculosis (TB) include chest X-rays, tuberculin skin tests (TST), and other more accurate out-of-pocket tests. One such test is the Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA), which is a blood test that detects the immune response to ...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello, no test is 100% accurate, so it is necessary to consider all examinations to make a judgment on whether preventive medication is needed. The physician will explain the benefits and risks, but the final decision rests with the parents. Preventive treatment will only be admi...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Testing: X-rays, Interferon, and More
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
Free Tuberculosis Testing in Changhua City and Hemei Township: Where to Find It?
excuse me? Hello, doctor. I would like to inquire if there are any free tuberculosis screenings available in Changhua City or Hemei Township. A friend of mine was recently hospitalized with suspected pneumonia, and it was later confirmed to be tuberculosis. He has been in a coma ...
Dr. Chen Jaming Reply:
Currently, for reported tuberculosis (TB) patients, public health personnel will conduct home visits to gather information. For close contacts, a TB contact referral form will be provided, which can be used to seek medical attention at a hospital. If you do not have a referral fo...[Read More] Free Tuberculosis Testing in Changhua City and Hemei Township: Where to Find It?
Do Lung Scars from Past Tuberculosis Ever Disappear?
Pulmonary tuberculosis scar? Hello Doctor: I was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis ten years ago and underwent six months of medication treatment, after which the doctor declared me cured. At that time, the X-ray showed scarring. Last year, during a health check, a chest X-ra...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Huang: The scars left by pulmonary tuberculosis are similar to scars on our skin from cuts; over time, they may fade and can sometimes be undetectable unless specifically looked for. This could also indicate that the infection was very mild back then. Congratulations on havi...[Read More] Do Lung Scars from Past Tuberculosis Ever Disappear?
Home Care for Tuberculosis: Prevention Tips to Avoid Infection
Home Care for Tuberculosis and How to Prevent Transmission Yesterday, my father-in-law was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Due to his advanced age (79 years) and limited mobility, he was unable to be admitted to the hospital promptly when the physician recommended it. In p...
Dr. Tao Ruiming Reply:
1. Home care: After 14 days of medication, the infectiousness of the patient significantly decreases. 2. Home care: Ensure proper ventilation and avoid keeping doors and windows tightly closed. If the patient has a cough or sneezes, they should cover their mouth and nose. It is ...[Read More] Home Care for Tuberculosis: Prevention Tips to Avoid Infection
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 Side Effects of Tuberculous Pleurisy Treatment
Side effects of tuberculous pleurisy? Dear Doctor, Regarding the issue I raised a few days ago about my father having Sjögren's syndrome and recently being diagnosed with tuberculous pleuritis and his medication, I appreciate your response. My father has been on medication ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Dear Miss Lin, If your father's liver function is normal and the X-ray has not worsened, it should not be related to tuberculous pleuritis or hepatitis caused by anti-tuberculosis medications. It is advisable to check if any other cough or asthma medications are causing iss...[Read More] Understanding Side Effects of Tuberculous Pleurisy Treatment
Understanding Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Symptoms and Management
Tuberculous pleurisy Hello Doctor: My father is 70 years old and has Sjögren's syndrome (an autoimmune disorder) and chronic hepatitis C, for which he has been on medication for a long time. About a month and a half ago, he developed a cough that progressed to shortness of b...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Dear Miss Lin, Regarding your father's medical condition, here are some brief answers to your questions: 1. The standard treatment for tuberculosis typically involves 6 to 7 bactericidal medications. If cough suppressants and bronchodilators, or medications for pre-existin...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Symptoms and Management
Can People with Pleural Effusion Consume Propolis? Dietary Considerations Explained
Can a person with pleural effusion consume propolis? Recently, my father was hospitalized due to pleural effusion and underwent a series of tests, but the cause could not be determined. During his hospital stay, the fluid was drained, and after some observation, he was discharged...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, what is referred to as pulmonary edema should actually be called pleural effusion. Thoracentesis only temporarily alleviates symptoms, and further examinations should be conducted, such as pleural biopsy, thoracoscopy, pleural fluid analysis, and tests for bacteria, tuberc...[Read More] Can People with Pleural Effusion Consume Propolis? Dietary Considerations Explained
Healing Time for Lung Cavities: What to Expect After Tuberculosis Treatment
Recovery time for a lung perforation? Two months ago, I was diagnosed with a cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis (in the right upper lung) and started treatment. How long does it typically take for the X-ray to show complete healing of the cavity?
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, the healing time for cavitary lesions can vary, and even after treatment, a cavity may remain, but there are no tuberculosis bacteria present. The important factors are the duration of medication and whether the types of medications used are sufficient. Thank you for your ...[Read More] Healing Time for Lung Cavities: What to Expect After Tuberculosis Treatment
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
Chronic Cough: Understanding Causes, Risks, and Diagnostic Tests
Persistent cough that does not resolve? Hello: My father has been coughing every day since April of last year, but it is not a constant cough; it only occurs when he transitions from a warm environment to a cooler one. Over the past year, he has visited three medical centers for ...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
1. The most definitive test for lung cancer is a pathological biopsy of suspicious lesions. 2. There are many potential causes for a persistent cough, including asthma, cancer, post-nasal drip, tuberculosis, allergies, gastroesophageal reflux, and side effects from certain medic...[Read More] Chronic Cough: Understanding Causes, Risks, and Diagnostic Tests
Understanding Chest Pain and Throat Discomfort: Possible Causes and Next Steps
Chest pain and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat? About eight months ago, I started feeling a strange sensation in the center of my chest. I went to a pulmonologist for an X-ray, and the doctor said everything looked normal, so I didn't think much of it. However, i...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Your chest X-ray is normal and there are no symptoms related to tuberculosis. If you do not recall any contact with tuberculosis patients, your discomfort should not be related to tuberculosis. Please avoid intentionally pressing or performing chest expansion exercises. Adequate ...[Read More] Understanding Chest Pain and Throat Discomfort: Possible Causes and Next Steps
Understanding Lung Shadows on X-rays: Diagnosis and Next Steps
There is an opacity on the chest X-ray? Hello Dr. Zhou! My father had an X-ray in mid-October, which revealed shadows in the right middle lobe and right lower lobe of his lung (three areas). Sometimes he experiences pain in his right chest while breathing, and it hurts more with ...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Based on the situation you described, the right middle/right lower lung should be compared with older images. If there are new shadows, there is a higher possibility of active lesions. Although no tuberculosis bacteria were found in the sputum, we cannot completely rule out the p...[Read More] Understanding Lung Shadows on X-rays: Diagnosis and Next Steps
Managing Medication Concerns for Elderly Patients with Lung and Heart Issues
Consult a physician? Dr. Yang: My father, who is 83 years old, was hospitalized two days ago due to pneumonia caused by pleural effusion. He has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, and he was cured of tuberculosis over forty years ago. He uses an...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Jun: This hospitalization may be related to infection or heart failure. In principle, the attending physician will determine the medication based on the severity and urgency of the condition. Some medications that are usually taken may affect heart rate or blood pressure, w...[Read More] Managing Medication Concerns for Elderly Patients with Lung and Heart Issues
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 Bacterial Culture: Importance in Lung Fluid Analysis
What is bacterial culture? Because the patient has some fluid accumulation in the lungs, the doctor said that the fluid needs to be drained out and then a bacterial culture will be performed. The doctor mentioned that it is similar to a Pap smear, where the sample is placed in a ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Tony: Removing abnormal fluid accumulation in the body, such as pleural effusion (fluid in the lungs), for further analysis can help clarify the diagnosis of diseases. If the fluid contains bacteria (including tuberculosis bacteria and general bacteria), a portion of the fl...[Read More] Understanding Bacterial Culture: Importance in Lung Fluid Analysis
Is There a Connection Between Lung Fibrosis and Cold Symptoms?
Is there a relationship between pulmonary fibrosis and the common cold? Hello Dr. Yang: I recently had a chest X-ray, and the results showed "fibrosis in the left and right lung apices." This is the first time I've seen this; the results from about a year ago were ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello Mr. Yang: Fibrosis typically indicates a history of inflammation that has left a scar. Based on your description, it is likely that the inflammation occurred within the past year (since the X-ray was normal a year ago). The apices of both lungs are common sites for pulmonar...[Read More] Is There a Connection Between Lung Fibrosis and Cold Symptoms?