“Thought It Was a Cold”… Yeongju City Health Center Urges Tuberculosis Prevention

Cough Lasting More Than 2 Weeks, Tuberculosis Testing Recommended

Yeongju City Public Health Center emphasized the importance of tuberculosis prevention and early detection, warning citizens that the risk of tuberculosis may increase due to weakened immunity during the winter season.

Tuberculosis is a respiratory infectious disease whose initial symptoms are similar to those of a common cold, making it easy to overlook. According to the city health center, although the incidence rate of tuberculosis in Korea is on a declining trend, the number of patients reached approximately 18,094 in 2024, making it a disease that still requires caution. It is especially important to get tested for tuberculosis if a cough lasts more than two weeks or symptoms worsen.

Kim Munsu, the director of the health center, stated, “There are many cases where tuberculosis is discovered during health checkups while asymptomatic,” and added, “Please strive for early detection by having a chest X-ray once a year, and practice basic preventive measures such as covering your mouth with your sleeve when coughing, maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and ventilating living spaces.”

The city health center provides free tuberculosis screening once a year for seniors aged 65 and older. Seniors who wish to get screened should bring their ID and visit the Respiratory Management Office on the first floor of the health center.

Yeongju City Public Health Center Tuberculosis Prevention Promotional Material.

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