Can Pregnant Women Safely Undergo Tuberculosis Skin Testing?
Is it appropriate for pregnant women to undergo skin testing for tuberculosis? Due to a family member being hospitalized and isolated for tuberculosis, the health department has notified us that family members need to undergo chest X-rays. My son, who is in kindergarten, will hav...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, 1. It is generally not recommended for pregnant women to undergo X-rays; instead, sputum tests can be performed three times to check for the presence of tuberculosis bacteria. 2. Additionally, a blood test primarily for hepatitis C interferon can be conducted to determi...[Read More] Can Pregnant Women Safely Undergo Tuberculosis Skin Testing?
Essential Tests for Family Members Exposed to Open Tuberculosis
What tests can be done for someone who has been in contact with a family member with open pulmonary tuberculosis? My dad previously thought he had a cold, and during his visit to the clinic for medication, I went into his room to help him with his blanket, change his ice pack, an...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, 1. It is generally not recommended for pregnant women to undergo X-rays; instead, sputum tests can be conducted three times to check for tuberculosis bacteria. 2. Additionally, a blood test primarily to check for Hepatitis C interferon can help determine if there is an ...[Read More] Essential Tests for Family Members Exposed to Open Tuberculosis
How Long Does It Take to Diagnose Tuberculosis in the Hospital?
How long does a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis need to be hospitalized for diagnosis? Hello Doctor: My father has been experiencing intermittent fever and coughing for two weeks. Initially, he just went to the clinic to get cold medicine, but later he developed a fever in th...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, based on your description, diagnoses such as lung tumors, pneumonia, and tuberculosis cannot be immediately ruled out. The physician is currently conducting differential diagnoses, and since there is a clinical possibility of tuberculosis, hospitalization in an isolation r...[Read More] How Long Does It Take to Diagnose Tuberculosis in the Hospital?
Risk of Tuberculosis Transmission After Close Contact: What You Need to Know
Contact with tuberculosis patients? Dear Doctor: Two days ago, a masked individual came to conduct business, and we spoke in close proximity indoors for about five minutes. Later, he mentioned that he has open pulmonary tuberculosis and is currently receiving medical treatment. A...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: 1. Tuberculosis bacteria are transmitted through droplets (aerosolized particles in the air), and wearing a mask can significantly reduce the amount of droplets expelled from the respiratory tract while speaking. 2. There is a higher risk of infection only after prolonged ...[Read More] Risk of Tuberculosis Transmission After Close Contact: What You Need to Know
Understanding Skin Test Reactions for Tuberculosis: What to Expect
Tuberculin skin test (TST) Hello, doctor. I had a skin test injection on Tuesday, and after 48 hours, the result was negative with only a slight erythema but no swelling. However, after the examination (which involved palpation) at 72 hours, it has become slightly red and swollen...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
1. Each individual's constitution is different, and the reaction time to a coin-sized stimulus can vary significantly. If the diameter of the reaction reaches approximately 10mm within 72 hours, this value should be used as a reference for assessment. 2. Theoretically, there...[Read More] Understanding Skin Test Reactions for Tuberculosis: What to Expect
Do We Need TB Testing After Exposure to a Confirmed Case?
Regarding tuberculosis (TB)? Dr. Yang: Hello, my grandmother was recently hospitalized at Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. A week ago, the hospital suspected she had a tuberculosis infection, which was later confirmed. She was placed in an isolation room during the suspicion ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
Hello: Tuberculosis can be transmitted through airborne droplets, but prolonged exposure is typically required for infection to occur. Generally, about one-third of household contacts will become infected (90% of those infected will never develop the disease in their lifetime), w...[Read More] Do We Need TB Testing After Exposure to a Confirmed Case?
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 Tuberculosis Testing: Your Questions Answered
Tuberculosis Examination I would like to ask the doctor a few questions: 1. Since mid-July, I caught a cold from a classmate, which led to fever and phlegm in my throat (I usually have phlegm in my throat as well, but a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner said it was due ...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
DEAR Ruru: I apologize for the late reply. Regarding your questions: 1. The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis requires three criteria: 1) clinical symptoms, 2) chest X-ray (CXR), and 3) microbiological evidence. At least two of these must be met for a diagnosis, so it appears...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Testing: Your Questions Answered
Understanding Tuberculosis: Common Questions and Testing Options
Questions related to tuberculosis (TB)? I have a few questions to ask the doctor: 1. I have had a sensation of a foreign body in my throat, located at the bottom of my neck, for a long time. However, I underwent a skin test on August 1, and the final result was 5mm. Does this mea...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
DEAR Ruru: A TT of 5 mm generally does not require further testing. If you want to check for latent infection, there are two blood tests available: 1. QUANTIFERON, and 2. T-SPOT, which are based on the antigen-antibody principle. These tests are only available at Chang Gung Memor...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Common Questions and Testing Options
Specific vs. Non-Specific Inflammation: Understanding Sarcoidosis
Specificity or non-specificity In medical terminology, sarcoidosis is classified as a specific type of inflammation rather than a nonspecific inflammation. Thank you!
Dr. Huang Ruiming Reply:
Dear Wang: The etiology of sarcoma-like lesions is still not very clear. Some literature suggests that it is somewhat similar to tuberculosis, thus it is currently classified as a non-specific inflammation. Thank you for your inquiry. Sincerely, Hwang Rui-Ming.[Read More] Specific vs. Non-Specific Inflammation: Understanding Sarcoidosis
Understanding Tuberculosis: Treatment, Transmission, and Local Resources in Changhua
Tuberculosis (TB) issues? Where can I find chronic disease prevention and control centers in Changhua? If someone has latent tuberculosis and wants to seek treatment nearby to obtain anti-tuberculosis medication, which locations are available? I understand that some places may no...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear Lamb: The Changhua County Health Bureau has a chronic disease prevention department, but I'm not sure if they are currently seeing patients; you can call to inquire. Health centers do not require a registration fee, but since it is not a specialized consultation, it is ...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Treatment, Transmission, and Local Resources in Changhua
Understanding the Risk of Tuberculosis Transmission in Shared Spaces
Transmission of Tuberculosis (TB) Hello, doctor. A few days ago, my Japanese parents went to see a pulmonologist due to a cough that lasted for a week. They were wearing masks at the time, and there was another patient in the room who seemed to be undergoing treatment for tubercu...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, the current targets for contact tracing by the Centers for Disease Control are individuals who have been exposed to the index case for 8 hours or have a cumulative exposure of over 40 hours. Based on the situation you described, where both parties were wearing masks, the l...[Read More] Understanding the Risk of Tuberculosis Transmission in Shared Spaces
Understanding Tuberculosis: Transmission, Diagnosis, and Family Risks
Mycobacterium tuberculosis 1. Does tuberculosis have the potential to be contagious before the onset of symptoms? 2. How can I determine if I have tuberculosis? 3. If a family member has tuberculosis, is there a high chance that we will contract it? Thank you =)
Dr. Chen Jaming Reply:
1. Tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs is not contagious before the disease manifests; more precisely, if the disease is not active, it can only be classified as latent TB and not as active tuberculosis. 2. There are many methods to test for tuberculosis; typically, a chest X-ray is...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Transmission, Diagnosis, and Family Risks
Understanding a 2.2 cm Lung Tumor: Causes of Chest and Back Pain
Pulmonary tumor measuring 2.2 centimeters? Hello Doctor, my mother has been suffering from unexplained chest pain and back pain (her arm cannot be fully extended) as well as esophageal pain for over a month. She has seen many doctors, some of whom said the esophageal pain is due ...
Dr. Huang Yiwen Reply:
Dear: Hello, why do we have to wait a week for the biopsy? It seems a bit long. As for what has been described, it is all possible. If it is urgent, a PET scan can be done first, but since this is not the standard procedure, it may require out-of-pocket expenses. Additional tumor...[Read More] Understanding a 2.2 cm Lung Tumor: Causes of Chest and Back Pain
Understanding Unclear Lung Shadows: Tuberculosis Concerns and Recovery
There is an indistinct shadow in the right lower chest? Hello, I would like to ask about a health check I had abroad in October, where an X-ray showed unclear small shadows. At that time, the doctor could not determine if it was tuberculosis, so I returned in January for a blood ...
Dr. Yang Wenda Reply:
A positive tuberculin skin test indicates a past infection with the tuberculosis bacteria. Most infection sites are very small and difficult to detect via X-ray. Over one-third of the world's population has been infected, but fortunately, only about 10% of those infected wil...[Read More] Understanding Unclear Lung Shadows: Tuberculosis Concerns and Recovery
Understanding Tuberculosis: Necrotizing vs. Non-Necrotizing Pathology
Infected with tuberculosis? Is tuberculosis the same in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary pathology? Why do some people refer to it as "necrotizing and non-necrotizing," while others say "caseous and non-caseous"? Which one is correct? Thank you.
Dr. Huang Ruiming Reply:
Hello! The pathological changes in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis are the same. They are characterized by caseous necrosis. Thank you for your question! Wishing you a happy New Year. Sincerely, Dr. Huang Ruiming, Hualien Hospital.[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis: Necrotizing vs. Non-Necrotizing Pathology
Understanding Lung Shadows and Fluid: What Do They Mean for Your Health?
The presence of shadows and fluid in the lungs may indicate several conditions, such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema, lung tumors, or pleural effusion. It is essential to conduct further diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies or laboratory tests, to determine the underlying caus...
Dr. Jian Shuntian Reply:
Hello, there are many reasons for the presence of shadows in the lungs along with fluid accumulation, such as inflammation, pneumonia, tuberculosis, tumors, etc. Further examinations are necessary to establish a diagnosis, and treatment can only be provided based on that diagnosi...[Read More] Understanding Lung Shadows and Fluid: What Do They Mean for Your Health?
Managing Pleural Effusion and Tuberculosis Treatment Challenges
The pleural effusion test indicated a pleural tuberculosis index of 84? 1. The pleural effusion test showed a pleural tuberculosis index of 841. Is it necessary to take the CDC medication for 6 to 9 months? 2. The patient has a history of gastric ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux...
Dr. Yang Zhiyun Reply:
Hello, the general treatment for tuberculous pleurisy lasts for 6 to 9 months. If symptoms such as gastrointestinal discomfort, stomach pain, or vomiting occur after medication, liver function should be checked for abnormalities. Antiemetics and gastric medications may be adminis...[Read More] Managing Pleural Effusion and Tuberculosis Treatment Challenges
Understanding Tuberculosis Treatment and Liver Health Concerns
Tuberculosis medications Dear Dr. Chou, My father underwent a bronchoscopy, but due to the location being too distal, the endoscope could not advance further. Therefore, they used water irrigation to collect fluid for examination, which tested positive for tuberculosis. He start...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, (1) Generally speaking, the accuracy of detecting tuberculosis bacteria through bronchoscopy should be considered reliable. (2) Most anti-tuberculosis medications have the potential to cause liver function abnormalities. Some combinations of anti-tuberculosis drugs tha...[Read More] Understanding Tuberculosis Treatment and Liver Health Concerns
Understanding Lung Nodules: Causes and Advanced Diagnostic Options
Lung examination Hello Doctor: My father has been suffering from a persistent cough for 1 to 2 months without improvement. A CT scan revealed a 0.4 cm white spot at the left lung base, along with slight collapse symptoms. A bronchoscopy was arranged for further evaluation, but th...
Dr. Zhou Ziguang Reply:
Hello, there are many possible causes. Common ones include fibrosis (scarring from previous inflammation), ongoing inflammation (such as pneumonia or tuberculosis), and malignant tumors. Further examination is necessary; for a definitive answer, a lung biopsy may be required. Tha...[Read More] Understanding Lung Nodules: Causes and Advanced Diagnostic Options