Is secondary pulmonary tuberculosis contagious?

Secondary pulmonary tuberculosis is also a common manifestation of pulmonary tuberculosis. It is a chronic infectious disease that can be transmitted to others through a number of channels. The most common routes of transmission are the respiratory system, digestive system and other transmission methods. It can be transmitted through damaged skin and mucous membranes, or contact with reproductive organs. In daily life, ordinary people should prevent tuberculosis in a timely and effective manner, and tuberculosis patients should receive regular treatment in a timely manner.

1. Transmission routes of tuberculosis

1. Respiratory infection

It is the main route of infection. Healthy children may become infected and develop primary lung lesions after inhaling bacteria-carrying droplets or dust.

2. Digestive tract infection

The disease is mostly caused by drinking unsterilized or poorly sterilized milk contaminated with bovine tuberculosis bacteria or other food contaminated with human tuberculosis bacteria, and the disease mostly occurs in primary lesions in the pharynx or intestines.

3. Other infections

It can occasionally be transmitted through contact with broken skin, mucous membranes, reproductive organs, etc. Congenital tuberculosis can also be transmitted through the placenta or by inhalation of amniotic fluid, often resulting in miliary tuberculosis or genital tuberculosis shortly after birth. Humans are generally susceptible. Whether a person becomes ill after being infected depends on the number and virulence of the infected bacteria, and the body's nonspecific and specific resistance. Various factors such as nutritional status, mental stress, physical exhaustion, long-term use of corticosteroids, tumor chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapy, diabetes, etc. can reduce the body's resistance, making it easy to be infected or cause tuberculosis to spread and worsen.

2. How to prevent tuberculosis

1. Live a regular life

Avoid long-term overwork and mental stress, eat a balanced diet, exercise appropriately, and enhance your resistance.

2. Prevent tuberculosis-related diseases

For example, diabetes can increase the chance of developing tuberculosis by 4 times. For example, AIDS can increase the chance of tuberculosis by 30 times. Others include silicosis, gastrointestinal diseases, tumors, organ transplantation, long-term use of glucocorticoids, etc.

3. Preventive treatment for high-risk groups

The focus is on infected children in the families of newly discovered patients with bacteriostatic pulmonary tuberculosis, especially children under 5 years old and members with tuberculin test reaction ≥15mm or blisters.

4. Prevent the spread of tuberculosis

1) Reduce the spread of tuberculosis

Strengthen health education so that everyone understands the dangers and transmission methods of tuberculosis (because it is a respiratory infection), and cultivates hygienic habits of not spitting everywhere; the sputum of tuberculosis patients should be burned or disinfected with drugs; when patients cough or sneeze, they should cover their mouths with a handkerchief or wear a mask, and do not speak loudly to others at close range; items used by patients should be disinfected and cleaned frequently.

2) Reduce the concentration of tuberculosis bacteria in the environment

Tuberculosis bacteria can easily spread in a poorly ventilated, enclosed environment (such as a living room in winter, crowded dormitories or sheds). Therefore, you should develop the habit of opening windows regularly for ventilation and try to let as much sunlight as possible into the room.

3) Pay attention to isolation and reduce contact with infectious sources

Isolate and excrete tuberculosis patients and prevent them from going to crowded places where there is frequent contact between people or working. For family members who are sick, in addition to active treatment and frequent ventilation, it is best for them to live in a separate room. If conditions do not allow, they should sleep in separate beds.