Office worker A, who usually uses public transport to commute to work, suffered from a cough for over a week as the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors increased during the recent cold wave, and people around him were often noticing. I thought it was a winter cold and bought a cold medicine at a nearby pharmacy, but rather, my cough got worse and I had a fever, so I was worried that it might be Corona 19.
Mr. A, who was worried because tuberculosis is a legal infectious disease designated and managed by the state, can be relieved only following confirming that transmission has not occurred to the people around him because of Corona 19, thanks to wearing a mask well and paying attention to personal prevention such as washing hands. there was.
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, daily life and other fields are undergoing major changes. This also corresponds to the occurrence of infectious diseases, leading to a decrease in the occurrence of respiratory infections such as the flu or cold, which are prevalent in winter, due to wearing a mask and observing personal quarantine rules.
However, compared to last winter season, concerns regarding the twindemic, in which respiratory diseases such as corona and flu, are prevalent at the same time this year, have increased, and the term ‘flurona’, which is infected with both diseases at the same time, has been coined. Respiratory health in winter need to pay attention to In particular, due to the nature of winter, physical strength and immunity are easy to decrease, and ventilation is not properly done with windows closed all day, so there is a high risk of infection through the air of respiratory diseases such as influenza or tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and is spread through airborne transmission. When an infectious patient speaks, coughs, or sneezes, microscopic saliva containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis comes out into the air. The saliva is very small and evaporates immediately. It enters the lungs and causes an infection.
In Korea, tuberculosis has been on the decline since 2011, but as of 2018, the incidence rate of tuberculosis among OECD member countries was 66 per 100,000 people, and the death rate was also 4.8, following Lithuania’s 5.6. It was ranked 2nd, indicating that it is still at a high level. In addition, according to the report status of tuberculosis patients in 2020, the number of new tuberculosis patients aged 65 years and older decreased by 12.8% compared to the previous year, but the new patient rate was 5.1 times higher than that of those under 65 years old. and prevention is necessary.
Cough is the most common symptom of tuberculosis, and respiratory symptoms such as phlegm, shortness of breath, and chest pain appear. In addition, systemic symptoms such as night sweats, fever, weakness, weight loss, loss of concentration, indigestion, and nervousness may appear.
Not all exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis leads to tuberculosis. In 90% of infected patients, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is in the body as a latent infection, but it is suppressed by an immune mechanism and is asymptomatic. In the case of latent tuberculosis, 60-90% of cases can be prevented through treatment.
A chest X-ray is used to confirm active tuberculosis, and if tuberculosis is suspected on a chest X-ray or symptoms such as coughing, a sputum test is performed. After being diagnosed with tuberculosis, treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs and other drugs is required for at least 6 months. As the treatment period is long, treatment must be continued without interruption. Be sure to follow the amount and time of the prescribed medication according to the medical staff’s instructions, and keep the date of the visit because you must check the improvement of tuberculosis through tests while taking the medication.
“Most of the symptoms of tuberculosis are the same as those of a respiratory disease such as a cold or bronchitis, so it is difficult for an individual to distinguish them,” said Shim Eun-hee, head of the Respiratory Center at Daedong Hospital. It is better to get a diagnosis and get appropriate treatment.”
In order to prevent tuberculosis in daily life, it is to improve physical strength through balanced nutrition and exercise. When coughing or sneezing, you should cover your nose and mouth with the upper sleeve of your clothing.
