Publicação: 31 de janeiro de 2022
Considering many symptoms of Covid and TB overlap, it is important to differentiate between the two diseases.
Do you have persistent cough for more than two-three weeks even after your Covid recovery? As per the latest advisory by Union Health Ministry, people who suffer from prolonged cough post contracting the virus must get tested for tuberculosis. The Union Health Ministry has advised the Covid-19 patients to undergo tests for tuberculosis and other conditions if cough persists for more than two-three weeks.
Some of the common symptoms of active TB, the infectious disease that mainly affects lungs, are coughing for three or more weeks, coughing up blood or mucus, chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, fever, night sweats, and chills. TB is caused by a bacterium that spreads through tiny droplets released in the air when one coughs and sneezes.
As per the guidelines revised issued by the Health Ministry – ‘Clinical Guidance for Management of Adult Covid-19 Patients’, active tuberculosis is a high-risk factor for severe disease or mortality.
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Considering many symptoms of Covid and TB overlap, it is important to differentiate between the two diseases and know when you must get tested for what.
duration of illness and the treatment protocol and duration,” Dr Sonam Solanki, MBBS, DNB Pulmonary Medicine, PDDM, HERMES (European Diploma) Consultant Pulmonologist & Bronchoscopist, Masina Hospital, Mumbai
Are you coughing for a week or a month?
One needs to pay attention to the nature of coughing and from how long it has affected a person. Patients with tuberculosis present with a long history with symptoms for a long duration ranging from weeks to months, whereas Covid-19 patients have these symptoms of fever, cough, cold and fatigue of a shorter period – few days. The cough associated with Covid-19 is primarily dry, and there is not much expectoration, but in TB, cough is generally associated with sputum production. Sputum is a mix of saliva and mucus from the throat or lungs.
