In that ethereal old time, there was such a delicate woman named Lin Daiyu. Her name and stories are remembered by countless literature lovers. In the classic literary work "Dream of Red Mansions", she deeply attracts us with her unique temperament and tragic fate. But today, I want to talk about Lin Daiyu from a new perspective, that is, her disease that has been forgotten by the times - tuberculosis.
Imagine what Lin Daiyu's fate would have been if she had lived in our time, when her frequent coughing and weak physical symptoms were attributed to her sentimentality and physical weakness in ancient times. But today, these symptoms are likely to be diagnosed as tuberculosis. Tuberculosis, a disease that once dreaded countless people, is no longer an incurable disease under the glory of modern medicine.
Lin Daiyu, a typical literary figure, lived in ancient times, an era when medicine had not yet been fully developed. Although her story is fictional, the symptoms of tuberculosis reflected in her body are a true portrayal of countless patients in reality. Compared with the helplessness and confusion of Lin Daiyu's time, modern medicine's understanding of tuberculosis has been very different.
Tuberculosis, an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can affect several parts of the body, especially the lungs. According to the World Health Organization, millions of people die every year, but it is preventable and treatable. First-line agents for tuberculosis include isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. These drugs work on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, stopping it from growing and multiplying, thus controlling the disease.
For example, isoniazid, a potent anti-tuberculosis drug, effectively inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by interfering with its nucleic acid synthesis. Rifampicin, on the other hand, makes Mycobacterium tuberculosis unable to survive by destroying the cell wall synthesis of bacteria. The discovery and application of these drugs marks a major breakthrough in the fight against tuberculosis.
If Lin Daiyu had lived in modern times and received such treatment, her fate might have been completely different. Tuberculosis is no longer an incurable disease, but a disease that can be controlled and cured with regular medication and proper medical attention. Of course, the treatment of tuberculosis is not achieved overnight, and it requires long-term adherence to medication and close monitoring by doctors.
Mr. Zhang, a 50-year-old middle-aged man, insisted on medication for six months after being diagnosed with tuberculosis. During this time, he experienced side effects of the drug, such as impaired liver function and stomach upset, but he did not give up. Eventually, with the support of his doctors and family, he managed to overcome his illness.
Over the past few decades, the medical community has made significant progress in the treatment of tuberculosis. At present, the first-line treatment drugs for tuberculosis mainly include isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. These drugs effectively inhibit the growth and reproduction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis through different mechanisms, thereby controlling the progression of the disease. For example, isoniazid can interfere with the synthesis of bacterial cell walls, while rifampicin blocks bacterial RNA synthesis, and the combination of these drugs greatly enhances the effectiveness of treatment.
Despite the availability of effective medicines, TB treatment still faces many challenges. First of all, the treatment cycle is long, usually requiring continuous medication for 6 months or more. Patients need to follow their doctor's instructions strictly and take their medications regularly, which is a daunting task for many people. Secondly, the drug may cause some side effects, such as abnormal liver function, indigestion, etc., which may affect the patient's treatment compliance. On top of that, drug resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis is also on the rise, and treatment of multidrug-resistant and XDR-TB is more complex and difficult.
In the face of these challenges, patients and healthcare teams need to work together. Doctors need to tailor treatment to the patient's specific situation to mitigate side effects, while closely monitoring the patient's condition for changes and drug reactions. In addition, enhancing patient education and increasing their awareness of the disease and treatment is key to improving treatment adherence. Social support systems, such as regular health counseling and psychological counselling, are also essential for patients to complete the treatment process.