ASSESSMENT OF THE CLINICAL COURSE OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis in the elderly occupies an important place due to its epidemiological and clinical-pathogenetic characteristics. Timely detection of pulmonary tuberculosis in elderly and senile individuals is significantly more difficult than in young and middle-aged patients. This population group often remains outside the regular scope of medical supervision, as retirees represent a non-organized segment of the population in terms of preventive examinations, diagnosis, and treatment. In addition, the early clinical manifestations of tuberculosis (weakness, fatigue, sweating, decreased appetite, weight loss, etc.) in this age group are frequently interpreted by physicians as age-related changes.