Is tuberculous pleural effusion serious?
In general, tuberculous pulmonary effusion is a serious condition. The specific analysis is as follows:
The presence of pulmonary effusion in patients with tuberculosis is considered relatively severe. When tuberculosis leads to pulmonary effusion, it indicates that Mycobacterium tuberculosis has affected the pleura, causing tuberculous pleuritis and inflammatory exudation of the pleura, resulting in pulmonary effusion, also known as pleural effusion. This condition typically requires 6–9 months of treatment and causes significant harm to the patient, thus being regarded as quite serious. Small amounts of pleural effusion may be naturally absorbed; however, for moderate to large amounts of effusion, patients usually require thoracentesis or pleural drainage to remove the fluid. At the same time, they must take anti-tuberculosis medications such as isoniazid tablets, rifampicin capsules, and pyrazinamide as prescribed by a physician.
If patients experience discomfort, they should promptly visit a qualified hospital for examination and treatment to avoid delays in managing the disease.