Sino-Singapore Health丨Guangzhou chest doctor reminds: If you have a cough for more than 2 weeks, you should consider the possibility of tuberculosis

　　China News Service, Guangzhou, March 24 (Cai Minjie Jing Shilai) March 24 every year is World Tuberculosis Day. Du Yuhua, chief physician and chief physician of the Tuberculosis Control and Management Department of Guangzhou Chest Hospital, said that if symptoms such as cough and sputum are present for more than 2 weeks, patients should consider the possibility of tuberculosis and seek treatment at relevant medical institutions in a timely manner.

　　Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease that seriously endangers public health. It is caused by the invasion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the human body. Mycobacterium tuberculosis can affect all organs of the body except nails and hair. Among them, the lungs are the most common, which is called pulmonary tuberculosis.

　　Cough and sputum production for more than 2 weeks are the most typical symptoms of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. They are mainly dry cough or only a small amount of mucus sputum. If accompanied by secondary infection, the sputum will be purulent. When tuberculosis necrosis involves the pulmonary capillary wall, there may be blood in the sputum. If the large blood vessels are injured, varying amounts of hemoptysis may occur. When lesions involve the pleura, symptoms of chest pain and tightness often occur.

　　In addition, tuberculosis may also cause symptoms such as low-grade fever in the afternoon, night sweats, fatigue, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss.

　　Du Yuhua said that many patients have atypical symptoms and do not even feel any discomfort. If "typical" symptoms appear, the condition is usually more serious.

　　Du Yuhua introduced that the course of treatment for tuberculosis lasts for half a year, during which time it is necessary to insist on taking medicine and reexamination. If the patient has poor compliance and fails to complete the full course of treatment, the curative effect will be greatly reduced. The most difficult thing is the emergence of drug resistance. If you treat again at this time, the range of drug selection will be small, the dosage of drugs will increase, and the treatment time will also be extended to 1 to 2 years.

　　At present, the tuberculosis epidemic in Guangzhou has been effectively curbed, and the reported incidence rate has dropped significantly: from 137.56/100,000 people in 2005 to 39.22/100,000 people in 2022. (over)