Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), also known as tuberculosis, is an ancient and serious chronic disease with strong infectivity. Once infected, it can cause great damage to the human body and have a significant impact on daily life and work. But most of the time, people only pay attention to tuberculosis after infection and only have a partial understanding of it. Therefore, everyone should deepen their understanding of tuberculosis in order to better cope with the disease. So, what is tuberculosis? What symptoms will it cause? How to prevent it in daily life? Next, let's take a look together.
1、 What is pulmonary tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by the infection of the human body by the complex group of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can invade various organs of the human body. The most common infection site is the lung, which is called pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Tuberculosis is usually divided into active tuberculosis and inactive tuberculosis (old tuberculosis). Active tuberculosis has strong infectivity and can be cured through standardized treatment; Inactive pulmonary tuberculosis means that the body has ever been infected with pulmonary tuberculosis. After anti tuberculosis treatment or self-healing, there are still some dormant tuberculosis lesions in the body, without or with slight related symptoms. The lungs are calcified, fibrotic or tuberculoma, but not infectious. The main way of infection of pulmonary tuberculosis is that TB bacteria can be transmitted to the air through droplets through coughing, spitting and sneezing of tuberculosis patients, and the surrounding people may be infected if they inhale the droplets with TB bacteria.
2、 What symptoms can tuberculosis cause?
1. Respiratory symptoms
① Cough and sputum production: Patients with pulmonary tuberculosis initially have a mild and short cough, with no sputum or a small amount of sticky sputum in the early stages, which gradually worsens as the condition progresses.
② Hemoptysis and bloody sputum.
③ Chest tightness, persistent dull pain in the chest, shortness of breath, etc.
2. Systemic symptoms:
① General discomfort and fatigue.
② Fever, patients often present with low-grade fever in the afternoon.
③ Night sweats often occur in the middle of the night or early morning, and can seriously wet clothes.
④ There may be symptoms such as loss of appetite, emaciation, and weight loss.
3. Complications.
2. Pneumothorax: Spontaneous pneumothorax can easily occur due to airway damage.
3. Respiratory failure: If the patient's infection persists for a long time, it can easily lead to extensive or persistent damage to lung tissue, resulting in severe decline in lung function and even triggering respiratory failure.
4. Others: infection of other parts by tuberculous bacteria can lead to different complications, such as tuberculous meningitis complicated with brain hernia, tuberculous pericarditis complicated with pericardial constriction, intestinal tuberculosis complicated with intestinal adhesion, intestinal obstruction, etc.
3、 How to prevent tuberculosis?
1. Blocking the transmission channel
For patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, when coughing or sneezing, they should avoid others, cover their mouth and nose, and do not spit everywhere. When it is inconvenient, they can spit in a sterilized wet paper towel or sealed sputum bag. Try not to go to crowded public places, and if necessary, wear a mask when going.
For healthy individuals, it is important to avoid contact with tuberculosis patients without proper protection, to avoid staying in the same enclosed room for too long, and to wear masks in public places. In addition, it is necessary to avoid sharing tableware with tuberculosis patients to prevent cross infection.
2. Vaccination
Vaccination against tuberculosis, namely BCG vaccine, has a good protective effect on infants.
3. Pay attention to room ventilation
In daily life, windows should be frequently opened for ventilation to maintain air flow and keep indoor air fresh.
4. Exercise appropriately
Regular exercise, such as jogging, badminton, skipping rope, etc., can enhance the body's immunity and improve resistance to bacteria.
5. Maintain good living habits
Develop good personal hygiene habits, wash hands frequently, change clothes frequently, hang bedding frequently, etc; Be careful to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Develop good sleep habits, avoid staying up late, and ensure sufficient sleep.
6. Pay attention to diet
The diet should mainly consist of light foods, such as high protein, high vitamin, and high mineral foods. A high protein diet can increase the body's energy reserves by consuming more foods such as meat, poultry, and eggs; Eating more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals, can enhance immunity and improve the body's ability to resist diseases. In addition, tuberculosis patients should also abstain from smoking and drinking to prevent irritation to the lungs.
Everyone can learn more about tuberculosis knowledge, do a good job in daily prevention, maintain a healthy body, and effectively avoid tuberculosis infection.