Pulmonary tuberculosis
1. Big picture
Pulmonary tuberculosis, TB, is a contagious chronic infection caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The classic exam pattern is:
Chronic cough >2–3 weeks + fever + night sweats + weight loss + hemoptysis + upper-lobe/apical infiltrate or cavity.
The examiner wants you to know three things:
1. Suspect TB clinically and isolate early.
2. Confirm microbiologically: sputum AFB smear/culture + NAAT/PCR.
3. Treat with combination antituberculous therapy for months, never monotherapy.
TB is a public health disease: diagnosis means airborne precautions, notification, contact tracing, and adherence support.
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