Which outpatient department should you visit for lung-related issues?

The lungs are typically evaluated by departments such as respiratory medicine, infectious diseases, and thoracic surgery.

1. Department of Respiratory Medicine

The lungs are part of the respiratory system. If symptoms such as difficulty breathing or coughing occur, patients should visit the department of respiratory medicine at a hospital. Common conditions include pulmonary inflammation, lung nodules, and lung tumors. After identifying the cause, treatment under a doctor's guidance may involve oral medications such as levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin tablets.

2. Department of Infectious Diseases

If coughing is caused by a viral infection in the lungs, it is important to seek care promptly at the department of infectious diseases. If diagnosed with a novel coronavirus infection, timely isolation is required, followed by treatment under medical supervision with antiviral medications such as ribavirin tablets, acyclovir tablets, or Lianhua Qingwen capsules.

3. Department of Thoracic Surgery

Prolonged coughing, coughing up blood, or difficulty breathing may be caused by a mass in the lungs, requiring prompt consultation with the department of thoracic surgery. Enhanced chest CT scans should be performed under a doctor’s guidance to determine the underlying cause, after which surgical intervention may be necessary.

In addition, individuals seeking evaluation of the lungs may also visit an oncology department, as these symptoms could potentially be due to tumors.