The disease is an infectious process caused by the activity of bacteria entering the respiratory system. For this ailment, the appearance of exudate in the pleural cavity is characteristic. Tuberculosis pleurisy usually affects adolescents and youth in the age of up to twenty-five years. Transmission of the pathogen is carried out by contact with infected animals, soil and man. However, the infection can spread throughout the body through the affected lymph nodes. Treatment is carried out only in a hospital, since the probability of contamination of others is high.
Symptoms of tuberculous pleurisy
Typically, patients are worried about general deterioration, difficulty breathing and pain in the sternum. However, the intensity of symptoms is determined by the stage of the disease, the amount of exudate and the rate of development. Let's consider the main features:
- Shortness of breath and shortness of breath by inhalation. In complicated cases, dyspnea is present even when at rest.
- Pain in the chest, which becomes stronger when coughing, sneezing, or breathing. In this case, the pain can radiate to the shoulder and abdominal region.
- Dry cough appears due to irritation of the pleural cavity. The appearance of sputum indicates the onset of destructive processes.
- Symptoms of general intoxication , including high temperature, muscle pain, chills , excessive sweating.
Treatment of tuberculous pleurisy
The therapeutic course lasts about three months. After the diagnosis the patient is immediately sent to a closed dispensary. This is due not only to the serious condition, but also to the fact that tuberculous pleurisy is contagious, which poses a danger to healthy people.
Antibiotic therapy includes the use of three types of drugs, which are administered intravenously and intramuscularly. With excessive accumulation of fluid in the cavity, puncture and suction are performed. If it turns out to be ineffective, then permanent drainage can be prescribed.