What is the Definition of Tuberculosis? And What Are Its Different Types?
Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Pulmonary tuberculosis can be divided into primary pulmonary tuberculosis, hematogenous disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis, secondary pulmonary tuberculosis, and tuberculous pleurisy.
Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common form, mainly transmitted through respiratory routes among individuals. Other parts of the body (such as cervical lymph nodes, meninges, peritoneum, intestines, skin, and bones) can also be infected secondarily. Tuberculosis can occur in various parts of the body, with common manifestations including pulmonary tuberculosis (cough, sputum, blood, chest pain, chest tightness), gastric tuberculosis (upper abdominal discomfort or pain, acid reflux, belching, vomiting), intestinal tuberculosis (abdominal pain, alternating diarrhea and constipation, abdominal mass), and hepatic tuberculosis (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea).
Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common form of tuberculosis, and its occurrence requires three elements: source of infection, transmission route, and susceptible population. 1. Source of infection: individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis or Mycobacterium tuberculosis carriers. 2. Transmission route: mainly transmitted through respiratory routes among individuals. 3. Susceptible population: the population is generally susceptible. 4. Other parts of the body (such as cervical lymph nodes, meninges, peritoneum, intestines, skin, and bones) can also be infected secondarily, mainly through blood dissemination.
Doctors diagnose tuberculosis mainly based on medical history, symptoms, smear tests, tuberculin tests, X-ray examinations, lymphocyte culture + γ-interferon release tests, and molecular biology examinations to confirm the diagnosis.
