Not Every Cough Means a Cold

Coughing for More Than 2 Weeks, Suspect 'Tuberculosis'

[Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Mr. A suffered from a lingering cough for more than a week as the winter cold wave hit. Thinking it was a simple cold, he bought medicine from a nearby pharmacy.

Instead of getting better, his cough worsened and he developed a fever, raising concerns about a COVID-19 infection. He visited a hospital, but the diagnosis given to Mr. A was tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is a legally designated infectious disease managed by the government, and like COVID-19, it can be transmitted to people nearby, so infection prevention is necessary.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, personal quarantine rules have been followed, leading to a decrease in respiratory illnesses such as flu and colds. However, this year there is growing concern about a ‘twindemic’ where respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and the flu spread simultaneously.

The term ‘flurona’ has even emerged to describe simultaneous infection with both diseases.

In winter, cold weather and reduced sunlight lead to less activity, making it easy for physical strength and immunity to decline. Often, windows remain closed without proper ventilation, increasing the risk of airborne infections such as flu or tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by the tuberculosis bacteria (Mycobacterium Tuberculosis) and is transmitted through the air.

When a patient talks, coughs, or sneezes, tiny droplets containing tuberculosis bacteria are released into the air. These droplets are very small and evaporate quickly, but the tuberculosis bacteria remain airborne and enter the lungs of nearby people when they breathe.

In South Korea, the incidence of tuberculosis has been decreasing since 2011, but as of 2018, the country ranked first among OECD member countries with an incidence rate of 66 cases per 100,000 people. The mortality rate was also second highest at 4.8 deaths per 100,000, following Lithuania’s 5.6.

According to the 2020 tuberculosis patient report, new tuberculosis cases among those aged 65 and older decreased by 12.8% compared to the previous year, but the rate of new patients was 5.1 times higher than that of those under 65.

Half of tuberculosis patients are often aged 65 or older, so accurate awareness and prevention of tuberculosis in the elderly are necessary.

When infected with tuberculosis, most patients experience coughing along with respiratory symptoms such as sputum, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Systemic symptoms such as night sweats, fever, weakness, weight loss, loss of concentration, indigestion, and nervousness may also appear.

Not everyone exposed to tuberculosis bacteria develops tuberculosis, and in cases of latent tuberculosis, treatment can prevent 60?90% from progressing to active tuberculosis.

About 90% of infected individuals have latent infections where the tuberculosis bacteria are present in the body but suppressed by the immune system, so no symptoms appear. Tuberculosis bacteria are not detected in chest X-rays or sputum tests, but latent tuberculosis infection tests show positive results.

Chest X-rays are used to check for active tuberculosis, and if symptoms such as coughing appear or tuberculosis is suspected on the X-ray, sputum tests are conducted. If infection is confirmed, treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs is administered for at least six months.

To prevent tuberculosis in daily life, it is important to consume a balanced diet and build physical strength through exercise.

When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with the upper sleeve of your clothing. If a family member or someone nearby has tuberculosis or you have been in contact with a tuberculosis patient, it is advisable to get tested even if you have no symptoms.

Dr. Shim Eun-hee, head of the Respiratory Center at Daedong Hospital, said, “Most tuberculosis symptoms are similar to those of respiratory diseases such as colds or bronchitis, making it difficult for individuals to distinguish. If you cough for more than two weeks, you must get an accurate diagnosis at a medical institution and receive appropriate treatment.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.