Every year, 650,000 people die from influenza worldwide, while tuberculosis kills 1.25 million!

In this issue, let’s talk about tuberculosis and influenza , the “respiratory enemies”.

Although they both love to get into the lungs , one is like an impatient executioner (influenza) and the other is like a latent killer (tuberculosis). Their personalities are very different! Get your melon seeds and stools ready, and let's dig into their "lung" stories!

Tuberculosis vs. Flu

Directly on the comparison table:

Symptoms of tuberculosis

Symptoms of the flu

Prevention and control strategies

1. Common preventive measures

Wearing a mask: Wear a medical mask in crowded places or when in contact with people with respiratory symptoms.

Enhance immunity: balanced diet, regular work and rest, and moderate exercise.

Environmental ventilation: Open windows frequently to ventilate the environment to reduce the spread of pathogens.

2. Core line of defense against tuberculosis

Early diagnosis and early treatment: If you have a cough or sputum for more than 2 weeks, you should suspect that you have tuberculosis. See a doctor promptly and take medication as directed.

Cut off the transmission chain: Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when the patient coughs, disinfect the sputum, and close contacts should be screened.

Intervention for high-risk groups: The elderly, people with diabetes, and people infected with HIV need regular chest X-ray examinations. For high-risk groups such as close contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients and people infected with HIV, preventive treatment should be actively carried out for people with latent tuberculosis infection, with a protective effect of 60-90% [1].

3. Flu-specific prevention

Vaccination: Get an influenza vaccine every year, which provides about 59% protection[2] and reduces the risk of severe illness.

Antiviral drugs: Antiviral drugs (neuraminidase inhibitors or polymerase inhibitors) can shorten the course of the disease if used within 48 hours of onset.

Kind tips

❌ Using antibiotics as a magic flu drug → Congratulations on harvesting a whole bucket of drug-resistant bacteria (cured loneliness)

❌ Tuberculosis patients who stop or reduce medication without authorization → Get the "Super Tuberculosis Bacteria" Hell Instance (Super Double Treatment)

✅ Correct operation: sleep more for influenza, take medicine for tuberculosis (follow the doctor's advice!)