Study of respiratory symptoms among sputum positive

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Primary pulmonary tuberculosis
The first infection with the tubercle bacillus is known as primary
tuberculosis and usually includes involvement ofthe draining lymph nodes
in addition to the initial lesion. The combination ofthe Primary or Ghon
focus and the draining lymph nodes is known as the primary complex
(Leitch, 2000).
The Primary infection is associated with a small lesion in the lung.
The location of which is determined by the distribution ofventilation and
therefore is most common in the mid and lower zones. The organisms are
taken up by macrophages and form a small area of consolidation with
exudation and cellular infiltration, the pulmonary component of the
primary or Ghon focus. At an early stage ofthe primary infection, possibly
within a few hours, bacilli are transported through the lymphatics to the
regional lymph nodes where there is a very marked reaction (Mc Nicol et
al., 1995).
Symptoms of primary pulmonary tuberculosis
The great majority of primary tuberculosis infection are probably
Symptomless, at least in young adults and adolescents (Daniels, 1948), the
infection being overcome without the individual being aware of it. A
proportion may experience a brief febrile illness at the time oftuberculin
conversion which is indistinguishable from the many febrile illness of
childhood. Occasionally, typical primary tuberculosis may occur in elderly
people who have lost their tuberculin sensitivity (Leitch, 2000).
When tuberculosis is common primary infection is almost invariable,
but it only produces symptoms in a minority < 10% and these symptoms
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