Why to do fluorography and how often you need to be examined, told the doctor

Why to do fluorography and how often you need to be examined, told the doctor

The frequency depends on several factors.

MD, pediatrician, nutritionist, co-founder of UniProf Academy of Physicians.

Why do fluorography? Is it necessary to do it every year?

What is fluorography

Fluorography is a type of X-ray examination that is used to detect lung diseases. As with regular X-rays, fluorography uses X-rays to pass through the patient’s body. A small amount of the rays are trapped by the ribs and muscles. But the lungs themselves, which are air sacs, absorb almost no X-rays. Detectors pick up this difference, which produces the image. Fluorography differs from standard X-rays by its relatively low radiation exposure.

Why fluorography is done

This X-ray is used for mass screening of asymptomatic patients for tuberculosis. But on the resulting image you can notice signs of other diseases (pneumonia, fibrosis, pleurisy), as well as areas of inflammation, tumors, foreign objects.

Once a year

Once a year, fluorography should be done:

• adults (healthy and with chronic diseases) living in regions where the incidence of disease is more than 40 cases per 100 thousand people;
• adolescents from 15 to 17 years old;
• adults with chronic diseases;
• representatives of sports, recreational, social and educational organizations;
• patients receiving radiation, corticosteroid, immunosuppressive, cytostatic therapy.

Twice a year

Twice a year fluorography is performed on:

• patients with HIV infection;
• employees of maternity hospitals;
• Patients who have recovered from tuberculosis (for the first three years from the date of deregistration);
• persons in places of imprisonment;
• patients under dispensary registration in psychiatric and narcological organizations.

In people who have been in contact with TB patients, as well as those who live with children who have a positive reaction to the diasquintest or Mantoux test, the frequency of passing is determined on an individual basis.