Among microbial infections around the world, non-tuberculous mycobacterium infection (MAI) gradually reveals its potential threat to human health.This disease caused by lung pathogens, especially in patients whose immune system is suppressed, can be quite serious.Among them, persistent cough is considered one of the early warning signs of MAI, but many people have not paid enough attention to this sign.

MAI infections are usually initially manifested as persistent cough, and if you do not seek medical treatment in time, it may lead to more serious health problems.

The full name of MAI is "Mycobacteria AIDS complex", and consists of two non-tuberculous M. avium and M. intracellulare.These microorganisms are common in the environment, including water sources and soil, but in people with low immunity, they can cause serious diseases and even lead to symptoms such as pneumonia, fever and weight loss.

Symptoms and effects of MAI

The symptoms of MAI are usually similar to tuberculosis (TB), including persistent cough, fever, fatigue, and cough bleeding.In the case of impaired immune function, such as in patients with HIV/AIDS, the impact of MAI is particularly significant.

About 40% of HIV-infected people in the United States end up with a wide range of MAI manifested as fever, sweating and weight loss.

The association of the immune system and MAI

It is worth noting that the health of the immune system directly affects the risk of MAI.When the number of CD4 cells decreases below 50, the risk of infection increases significantly.This phenomenon reminds us that paying attention to our own immune status and timely testing and treatment are crucial to preventing MAI.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosing MAI usually requires blood culture or other body fluid testing to ensure that the presence of pathogenic microorganisms can be fully confirmed.For patients who have been diagnosed, they will need to receive at least six months of antibiotic treatment, including the combination of three drugs.

Although MAI is usually resistant to standard antituberculosis drugs, certain therapeutic effects can still be obtained through targeted three-drug combined treatment.

Preventive measures

For patients at risk of MAI, such as the elderly and those with low immunity, the risk of infection should be reduced by preventive use of macrolide antibiotics, such as AIDS.Such preventive measures can significantly improve the quality of life of patients and prolong their survival.

The Final Thoughts

In the face of the risk of MAI, how should we be more alert to this condition so that we can take action early when similar symptoms appear in the early stages?

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