Understanding Tuberculosis: X-Ray Results and Pregnancy Concerns
A colleague's family member has tuberculosis? Hello Doctor: My colleague learned last night that a family member tested positive for tuberculosis. Today, their whole family underwent X-ray examinations, and the results were normal. Doctor, if it is in the latent phase, can i...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: The incubation period refers to the time during which a person is not yet symptomatic and is not infectious.[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: X-Ray Results and Pregnancy Concerns
Understanding Tuberculosis Treatment in Young Children: Risks and Concerns
Pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis infection Hello, Doctor! My father was diagnosed with open pulmonary tuberculosis in June of this year, and he has been cured for a month now. He has been taking his medication regularly and attending follow-up appointments. The doctor mentioned t...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
A child over 1 year old has a 2 cm positive tuberculin skin test, which is considered strongly positive, indicating a significant risk of developing tuberculosis. It is recommended that the child undergo 270 days of preventive treatment with isoniazid (INH). The likelihood of sid...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Treatment in Young Children: Risks and Concerns
Is There a High Risk of Lung Cancer After Tuberculosis Recovery?
Is the likelihood of tuberculosis progressing to lung cancer high? Hello Doctor, I am a tuberculosis patient and I have two months left in my treatment regimen. I have read many articles online that suggest that after tuberculosis is cured, it can lead to chronic lung damage and ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Trust your pulmonologist and have regular follow-up chest X-rays every year. If you experience a cough lasting more than two weeks or significant weight loss, return to the pulmonologist for further evaluation. In my personal experience, there is no clear correlation; some...[Read More] Is There a High Risk of Lung Cancer After Tuberculosis Recovery?
Understanding Side Effects of 9H Treatment for Latent TB: Liver Function Concerns
Side effects of the 9H regimen for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI)? I began treatment for latent tuberculosis with the 9H regimen on December 1, 2020. Prior to treatment, my liver function tests showed GOT (AST) at 26 U/L, GPT (ALT) at 20 U/L, and total bilirubin at 0.9 mg/d...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: 1. The side effects of 9H include hepatitis, and a GPT level of 156 U/L is considered indicative of hepatitis. If there are symptoms of nausea or vomiting, it is recommended to discontinue the medication. If GPT exceeds 200 U/L, it is advised to stop the medication regardl...[Read More] Understanding Side Effects of 9H Treatment for Latent TB: Liver Function Concerns
Understanding the Risks of Tuberculosis Recurrence and Employment in Food Industry
Company health checkup Hello Doctor: I was diagnosed with tuberculosis ten years ago and underwent a 9-month treatment regimen. The doctor declared me cured, and at that time, the X-ray showed scarring. I have been monitored annually with no abnormalities. Could you please tell m...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear sbg: Patients who have had tuberculosis may still experience a recurrence, but the chances are low. This is more likely to occur if the initial treatment was not fully completed, leaving a few residual bacteria, combined with a significantly weakened immune system. Currently...[Read More] Understanding the Risks of Tuberculosis Recurrence and Employment in Food Industry
Understanding Lung Nodules and Fibrosis: What Your Report Means
Pulmonary nodules, pulmonary lobe fibrosis? Hello, a few months ago I underwent surgery at the hospital, and today I received the examination report from before the surgery. The report indicates mild increased nodular infiltrates in both lungs and fibrotic infiltrates in the uppe...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Mr. Chang: This description appears to be from a radiology report. If there is no history of tuberculosis, it is recommended to schedule a CT scan due to mild increased nodular infiltrates, as we are concerned about your health at Changhua Hospital.[Read More] Understanding Lung Nodules and Fibrosis: What Your Report Means
Is My Boyfriend's Coughing Blood a Sign of Tuberculosis Recurrence?
Is it a recurrence of tuberculosis? Hello, doctor. My boyfriend unfortunately contracted tuberculosis (TB) ten years ago and underwent a resection surgery at that time. However, over the years, he occasionally experiences a bloody taste or coughs up a small amount of blood when h...
Dr. Wu Yingxun Reply:
Hello: Coughing up blood does not indicate a recurrence; if there is a recurrence, the cure rate is still very high, over 90%. It is important to go to the hospital for an examination.[Read More] Is My Boyfriend's Coughing Blood a Sign of Tuberculosis Recurrence?
Do You Need Latent TB Testing After Recovering from Active Tuberculosis?
After recovering from pulmonary tuberculosis, is it necessary to check for latent tuberculosis infection? My father had a tuberculosis infection many years ago, but he was cured after treatment. The health department currently offers blood tests to check for latent tuberculosis. ...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: Generally, individuals who have had tuberculosis and have completed their treatment do not need to undergo testing for latent tuberculosis infection. However, if there is a history of exposure to tuberculosis, it is recommended to have an evaluation by a pulmonologist.[Read More] Do You Need Latent TB Testing After Recovering from Active Tuberculosis?
Understanding Tuberculosis Skin Test Results and Follow-Up Options
Subcutaneous Tuberculin Test On September 1st of this year, the first tuberculin skin test was negative, with normal blood tests and chest X-ray results. On November 3rd, the second skin test showed a result of 13mm, indicating a positive reaction. The health center issued a refe...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: 1. Blood tests can be performed to measure interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) for decision-making. 2. The chance of misdiagnosis is low; it is not uncommon to have a negative result on the first test and a positive result on the second. 3. Prior vaccination with BCG ma...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Skin Test Results and Follow-Up Options
Concerns About Tuberculosis Exposure for Newborns: What You Need to Know
Contact with individuals suspected of having tuberculosis? Hello, I would like to ask about my mother, who is a long-term care worker taking care of a patient suspected of having tuberculosis. I am a postpartum mother and just learned today that my mother has been caring for a su...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: Contact with a tuberculosis patient does not necessarily mean that one is infected with the tuberculosis bacteria; a blood test for IGRA is needed to determine this. If infected, it does not guarantee that one will develop the disease; a chest X-ray or sputum test is requi...[Read More] Concerns About Tuberculosis Exposure for Newborns: What You Need to Know
Understanding Your Chest X-Ray: What Does Mild Fibrosis Mean?
Lung issues The chest X-ray report indicates "no active tuberculosis lesions in the lungs, mild apical fibrosis," but the reference values state there are no significant abnormalities. I would like to inquire what this means and whether there is any issue with the lungs...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Fibrosis indicates that there are small scars left in the lung tissue after previous inflammation, representing non-active changes. It's similar to small scars from childhood injuries that no longer require ointment. Mild fibrosis means the affected area is very small...[Read More] Understanding Your Chest X-Ray: What Does Mild Fibrosis Mean?
Understanding Tuberculosis Testing and Its Implications for Family Health
Tuberculosis (TB) screening? If a family member's sputum test has confirmed the presence of tuberculosis bacteria, and the health department has notified you to undergo re-examination, it is important to understand the implications. If the chest X-ray results are normal, it ...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Mei Mei: The presence of tuberculosis bacteria in sputum indicates open pulmonary tuberculosis, which is contagious. If the X-ray shows no abnormalities, it is also uncommon to perform sputum tests. Sputum contamination is not impossible; it depends on the testing conditions...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Testing and Its Implications for Family Health
Understanding Latent Tuberculosis: Testing and Symptoms Explained
The incubation period of pulmonary tuberculosis? A family member has just been diagnosed with tuberculosis, but the report on whether it is active or not has not yet come out. I would like to ask the doctor: We currently have no symptoms (or perhaps we do but are not aware of the...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello: 1. It is recommended to visit a hospital with a pulmonology department for a chest X-ray. 2. To determine if there is a latent infection, a blood test is needed; a positive result along with a chest X-ray showing no tuberculosis lesions is required. Currently, the examinat...[Read More] Understanding Latent Tuberculosis: Testing and Symptoms Explained
Understanding Right Upper Lung Cavities: Symptoms and Concerns
Right upper lung cavity? I have been experiencing shoulder pain, along with pain in my left lower back, and occasional calf cramps. I recently had a chest X-ray that revealed a cavity in my right upper lung. I was treated for a lung infection over a decade ago. During this recent...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Dear Zhang, "Shoulder pain, along with pain in the left lower back, and occasional calf cramps" can be challenging to address; it may be related to some form of myositis. "A chest X-ray revealed a cavitary lesion in the right upper lung, and I had treatment for a ...[Read More] Understanding Right Upper Lung Cavities: Symptoms and Concerns
Understanding Cough and Phlegm: When to See a Pulmonologist
Please ask your question? Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing a lot of nasal discharge, some phlegm, and a slight sore throat, with minimal coughing except for occasional attempts to clear my throat. I visited a general clinic and was prescribed medication; the doctor mentione...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Common symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis include a cough lasting more than two weeks, fever, fatigue, and weight loss, especially if there has been contact with a family member who has tuberculosis. It is recommended to have a chest X-ray if the cough persists for more th...[Read More] Understanding Cough and Phlegm: When to See a Pulmonologist
Understanding Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Infectious Risk
Questions related to tuberculosis (TB)? I would like to understand if, when my chest X-ray shows abnormalities (with no significant shadows in the past), my sputum smear is negative, and my sputum culture is positive, I have been confirmed as a tuberculosis patient, and whether I...
Dr. Zhang Youzheng Reply:
Hello: The recent X-ray shows abnormalities, whereas previous X-rays were normal, which is significant. A positive sputum culture raises a high suspicion for the possibility of tuberculosis. However, bacterial identification from the culture is necessary to confirm the diagnosis,...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Infectious Risk
Understanding Lung Abnormalities: Is It Really Tuberculosis?
Abnormalities in the lungs? Hello Doctor: Last month, I had a physical examination, and the chest X-ray showed an abnormality with a small dark shadow in the lungs. The doctor suspected it might be tuberculosis, so I underwent a CT scan and sputum tests. However, all three sputum...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello: Based on the findings, the chest X-ray and chest CT scan show imaging characteristics consistent with tuberculosis. A negative sputum smear indicates that there is currently no evidence of infectiousness, but it does not completely rule out the possibility of tuberculosis....[Read More] Understanding Lung Abnormalities: Is It Really Tuberculosis?
Understanding Hemoptysis: Causes, Risks, and Smoking's Impact
Hemoptysis of unknown origin? Hello Doctor, my father is 53 years old and has been smoking for 40 years, currently smoking an average of 20 cigarettes a day. Three months ago, he coughed up blood-tinged sputum. He had an X-ray done at the hospital, but the doctor did not provide ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Large tumors and typical cavitary lung infiltrates are more easily diagnosed by X-ray, while small nodules may simply indicate bronchitis or early-stage pulmonary nodules. It is generally safer to follow up after three months to check for any changes, and follow-up examina...[Read More] Understanding Hemoptysis: Causes, Risks, and Smoking's Impact
Unexplained Hemoptysis: Causes and Concerns for Young Adults
Hematemesis for about a week with no identifiable cause? A family member, a 23-year-old male currently abroad, has a history of tuberculosis that has been resolved. Around the end of March this year, he experienced severe coughing symptoms without hemoptysis, which was diagnosed ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: First, use hemostatic medications to control the bleeding. Avoid heavy lifting or constipation, and do not consume spicy foods, supplements, fried foods, or dishes with alcohol, as these may cause microvascular rupture in scar tissue. Also, avoid drinking very hot water or...[Read More] Unexplained Hemoptysis: Causes and Concerns for Young Adults
Understanding Tuberculosis Testing and Preventive Treatment for Young Children
Tuberculosis testing and the use of prophylactic medication for young children? Hello, Doctor. I would like to inquire about the tuberculosis (TB) testing and the use of preventive medication for young children. My child is currently 1 year and 4 months old, and we live in Austra...
Dr. Zhang Ziyan Reply:
Hello Ann, here are the answers to your questions: 1. Currently in Taiwan, only contacts of tuberculosis (TB) patients undergo the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), unless there is a specific history of exposure or suspicion of active disease. 2. Clinically, a nine-month treatment reg...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Testing and Preventive Treatment for Young Children