Question

Think back over your experience to a time when a misdiagnosis may have had serious consequences to a patient. Research the disease and discuss it. What are the clinical manifestations? What are common differential diagnoses? How common is the disease? What are the potential consequences of misdiagnosis? How can misdiagnosis be prevented?

Answer 1

Tuberculosis

Clinical manifestation:

• Fever low grade
• Cough can be dry, with expectoration or with blood.
• Weight loss and loss of appetite.

Common differentials

• Fungal pneumonia
• Hydrated lung disease
• Malignancy
• Pneumoconiosis

Tuberculosis is very common in tropical and third world countries. In the western world, this disease is common in patient amongst patients with HIV, renal transplant recipients, patients on immunosuppressive drugs.

Potential consequences of misdiagnosis

• The disease will progress in the patient.
• The patient can spread the disease to other people.
• Susceptible people like elderly, HIV positive, patients of renal transplant can get infected.
• This disease usually affects the younger population so it can have an effect on the country's economy.
• There will be an increase burden on the heath care system

Misdiagnosis can be prevented by

• Having a fixed state/ national policy.
• All patients with cough more that 2 weeks should be tested for tuberculosis.
• Once diagnosed patient should be immediately put on treatment.
• The medicines should be offered for free or at subsidizes rates.