Clipping Board » Disease & Prevention ─ Understanding diseases, prevention is better than cure.
China Times 2007.12.28
Xia Nianci / Kaohsiung Report
The Department of Oral Pathology at Kaohsiung Medical University has discovered a significant increase in cases of tuberculosis bacteria infecting the oral cavity or neck over the past two years. This trend confirms the sharp rise in the number of open tuberculosis infections in the country, warranting government attention. Notably, among the cases recorded by Kaohsiung Medical University, ten cases were concentrated within the last two years, with the elderly and children with weak immune systems being high-risk groups.
Dr. Wang Wencen stated that according to statistics from the Department of Health, there are approximately 8,000 to 10,000 confirmed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis annually in Taiwan over the past five years, with around 6,000 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Each year, 1,000 to 1,300 people die from tuberculosis, making it the thirteenth leading cause of death in the country.
Statistics from the Department of Oral Pathology at Kaohsiung Medical University show that from 1991 to 2007, the hospital recorded a total of 20 cases of head and neck tuberculosis, with 13 cases involving the oral cavity. All 13 patients had no history of pulmonary tuberculosis and were incidentally diagnosed with the disease through oral lesions.
Among these 13 cases, nine patients were over 50 years old, and one was under 10 years old. Most patients were blue-collar workers with habits of smoking and betel nut chewing, predominantly concentrated in the Sanmin and Xiaogang districts of Kaohsiung City. However, Kaohsiung Medical University emphasized that there is currently no scientific evidence or clinical pathology indicating a geographical correlation with the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Notably, in recent years, the infection rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in the country has been increasing annually, while the mortality rate has decreased.
Dr. Wang Wencen pointed out that pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted through droplets. When patients cough or sneeze, they expel droplets containing tuberculosis bacteria, which can infect those around them. Once the bacteria enter the body, they can cause lesions in any organ, such as the lungs, meninges, lymph nodes, bones, oral cavity, intestines, urinary tract, and reproductive organs.
Dr. Cai Mishan from the Department of Thoracic Medicine at Kaohsiung Medical University stated that newly diagnosed open pulmonary tuberculosis patients with positive sputum tests for infectious bacteria can return home to continue medication after being treated in isolation wards and testing negative three times. Although they are not immediately infectious, if they do not complete the six-month medication regimen, there is a risk of recurrence in the future.
Worryingly, due to the increasing number of open pulmonary tuberculosis infections, the limited capacity of isolation wards in major hospitals under the National Health Insurance system often leads to overcrowding. Sometimes, newly diagnosed patients cannot secure beds, and referrals to other hospitals are also hindered. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control has no choice but to allow these patients to take medication at home, turning them into potential time bombs for tuberculosis transmission in public spaces.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ 2……0501+112007122800092,00. html
High Medical Discovery: 13 Tuberculosis Cases Originating from Oral Cavity
Xia Nianci / Kaohsiung Report
The Department of Oral Pathology at Kaohsiung Medical University has discovered a significant increase in cases of tuberculosis bacteria infecting the oral cavity or neck over the past two years. This trend confirms the sharp rise in the number of open tuberculosis infections in the country, warranting government attention. Notably, among the cases recorded by Kaohsiung Medical University, ten cases were concentrated within the last two years, with the elderly and children with weak immune systems being high-risk groups.
Dr. Wang Wencen stated that according to statistics from the Department of Health, there are approximately 8,000 to 10,000 confirmed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis annually in Taiwan over the past five years, with around 6,000 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Each year, 1,000 to 1,300 people die from tuberculosis, making it the thirteenth leading cause of death in the country.
Statistics from the Department of Oral Pathology at Kaohsiung Medical University show that from 1991 to 2007, the hospital recorded a total of 20 cases of head and neck tuberculosis, with 13 cases involving the oral cavity. All 13 patients had no history of pulmonary tuberculosis and were incidentally diagnosed with the disease through oral lesions.
Among these 13 cases, nine patients were over 50 years old, and one was under 10 years old. Most patients were blue-collar workers with habits of smoking and betel nut chewing, predominantly concentrated in the Sanmin and Xiaogang districts of Kaohsiung City. However, Kaohsiung Medical University emphasized that there is currently no scientific evidence or clinical pathology indicating a geographical correlation with the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Notably, in recent years, the infection rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in the country has been increasing annually, while the mortality rate has decreased.
Dr. Wang Wencen pointed out that pulmonary tuberculosis is transmitted through droplets. When patients cough or sneeze, they expel droplets containing tuberculosis bacteria, which can infect those around them. Once the bacteria enter the body, they can cause lesions in any organ, such as the lungs, meninges, lymph nodes, bones, oral cavity, intestines, urinary tract, and reproductive organs.
Dr. Cai Mishan from the Department of Thoracic Medicine at Kaohsiung Medical University stated that newly diagnosed open pulmonary tuberculosis patients with positive sputum tests for infectious bacteria can return home to continue medication after being treated in isolation wards and testing negative three times. Although they are not immediately infectious, if they do not complete the six-month medication regimen, there is a risk of recurrence in the future.
Worryingly, due to the increasing number of open pulmonary tuberculosis infections, the limited capacity of isolation wards in major hospitals under the National Health Insurance system often leads to overcrowding. Sometimes, newly diagnosed patients cannot secure beds, and referrals to other hospitals are also hindered. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control has no choice but to allow these patients to take medication at home, turning them into potential time bombs for tuberculosis transmission in public spaces.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ 2……0501+112007122800092,00. html
2007/12/28 09:54