Did you know that tuberculosis is the second most important infectious disease that affects many people and causes death after Covid-19, the epidemic disease of the century?
Tuberculosis disease, also known as 'tuberculosis' among the people, knocks on the door of millions of people every year around the world. Acıbadem Taksim Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. Tülin Sevim said, “The Ministry of Health stated in its 2020 report that the number of tuberculosis patients in our country is 11.788 and 836 people died due to tuberculosis. About 10 million people in the world get tuberculosis every year and 2020 million people died from tuberculosis in 1,5. Tuberculosis is the 13th cause of death in the world. Stating that the Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, Assoc. Dr. Tülin Sevim, in her statement within the scope of 24 March World Tuberculosis Day, explained the 6 most common symptoms of tuberculosis and made important warnings and suggestions.
It is transmitted through the respiratory route
Tuberculosis, also known as 'tuberculosis' among the people, continues to affect many people today as a highly contagious infection that spreads from person to person through the air. Acıbadem Taksim Hospital Chest Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. Tülin Sevim stated that tuberculosis is a disease that can be seen in all organs, especially the lungs, and said, “Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person through respiratory tract. A tuberculosis patient scatters a large number of bacilli when coughing and sneezing. These microbes suspended in the air cause the disease to be transmitted to other people. Tuberculosis is a disease as old as human history and still remains an important public health problem. Assoc. Dr. Tülin Sevim speaks as follows: “Approximately 2020 million people get tuberculosis every year in the world and 11.788 million people died from tuberculosis in 836. Tuberculosis ranks 10th among all causes of death in the world.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a very negative impact!
Stating that the Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected tuberculosis control all over the world and in our country, Assoc. Dr. Tülin Sevim said, “The assignment of healthcare professionals mainly in the fight against Covid-19 and the reluctance of people to apply to health institutions due to the fear of Covid-19 cause serious disruptions in basic tuberculosis services all over the world. World Health Organization; He reported that much fewer people were diagnosed with tuberculosis and started treatment in 2020 compared to 2019. During the pandemic period, as in many other diseases, there are delays in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. For this reason, there may be a significant increase in tuberculosis disease after the Covid-19 pandemic.
6 most common symptoms of tuberculosis!
Stating that none of the symptoms seen in tuberculosis are specific to tuberculosis, they can be seen in many other diseases, Assoc. Dr. Tülin Sevim says: “The most important feature of tuberculosis is that it is an insidious disease; It starts with mild complaints and progresses slowly. For early diagnosis, people with cough complaints for more than 2-3 weeks should definitely apply to the chest diseases polyclinic or Tuberculosis Dispensary. It is possible to quickly diagnose and start treatment with chest X-ray and sputum examination. Chest Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. Tülin Sevim lists the 6 most common symptoms of tuberculosis as follows;
cough, sputum
Cough is the most common symptom in tuberculosis. Initially, it is in the form of a dry cough, and as the disease progresses, sputum is added. Many diseases such as upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, lung cancer, bronchiectasis (permanent enlargement of the bronchi) may cause similar complaints. Tuberculosis is an insidious disease, the most important feature of which is that the symptoms begin mildly and progress over time. For early diagnosis, chest X-ray should be taken and sputum examination should be performed in patients with cough lasting more than 2-3 weeks.
Blood in sputum
In some patients, bloody sputum (hemoptysis) may be seen in the later stages of the disease. Especially in patients with wounds (cavities) in their lungs; The rupture of a small vessel in the wound wall can cause bleeding mixed with sputum. The most common causes of hemoptysis are tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and lung cancer. When blood is seen in the sputum of a young person who has never had a lung disease and does not smoke, the first thing to come to mind is tuberculosis.
Chest pain
Chest pain is a symptom mostly seen in pleural tuberculosis. The pain increases with breathing. chest pain; It can be seen in many diseases of the heart and lungs. With chest pain; If there are complaints such as loss of appetite, fever, dry cough that have been going on for a while, tuberculosis should be considered.
Fire
It is a symptom that occurs in the advanced stages of the disease. The fever is usually normal or low in the morning, rising throughout the day, reaching its highest level in the late afternoon or evening. Fever can be a symptom of many infections or non-infectious diseases other than tuberculosis.
Weight loss
Chest Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. Tülin Sevim says, “As in many diseases, anorexia, weakness and weight loss can be seen in tuberculosis patients.”
night sweats
Almost everyone can sweat in their sleep. In order for night sweats to be considered as a symptom of a disease, it must have other symptoms along with it, and the sweating must be such that it wets the bedding or wakes the person from sleep. Night sweats, which is one of the symptoms of tuberculosis disease, can also be seen in diseases such as lymph node cancer (lymphoma), thyroid diseases and diabetes. The patient should be evaluated together with other complaints.
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