The doctor spoke about the early symptoms that distinguish tuberculosis from a common cough.

Early symptoms of tuberculosis can be confused with those of the common cold, but this disease has its own characteristics. Oksana Pivovarova, Professor of the Department of Therapy at the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education, told about this on Friday, October 31.

According to the specialist, the characteristic symptoms of tuberculosis include excessive sweating at night, gradual weight loss for no apparent reason, as well as a slight increase in temperature — usually up to 37.2–37.5 degrees, which lasts for weeks. The doctor added that these signs, in addition to coughing, are often confused with the symptoms of a cold.

"However, with acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections, the fever and cough disappear in 5-7 days, whereas with tuberculosis, the symptoms persist for a long time — weeks or even months, and the state of health gradually worsens. A cough with tuberculosis can be wet, sometimes with streaks of blood in the sputum," Pivovarova warned in a conversation with Lenta.Ru .

The therapist emphasized that if you experience a prolonged cough, fever, or night sweats, it is important to immediately consult a doctor who can prescribe a fluorography or chest X-ray, as well as send you for sputum analysis.

Pivovarova added that the disease is completely curable, but subject to full compliance with the treatment regimen.

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Earlier, on July 23, scientists from the First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University and the Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology reported that some drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis can reactivate latent tuberculosis. The researchers noted that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers reduce the body's protective functions, which increases the risk of developing the disease.

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