Tuberculosis Symptoms

Tuberculosis Symptoms

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a germ that is transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets. Usually this infection is passed on as a result of very close contact, so family members of an infected person are endangered if the person continues to live in the same household and has not undergone proper treatment

Today I will discuss about the symptoms of Tuberculosis Disease so that you can perform early treatment. Here are some of the Symptoms of Tuberculosis Disease

Symptoms of active tuberculosis may be mild and include an ongoing cough for three or more weeks, fever, weight loss, night sweats, poor appetite, and fatigue. A person with tuberculosis can also cough up blood (hemoptysis) and chest pain. Tuberculosis (TB) will not cause any symptoms until the infection has reached the lungs. As the bacteria are very slow moving, your symptoms might not begin for many years after the initial exposure to the bacteria has taken place.

A TB infection of the lungs is known as pulmonary tuberculosis
Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis: 

• A persistent cough that brings up phlegm (thick mucus), which may be bloody,
• Breathlessness: symptoms of breathlessness are usually mild to begin with before gradually getting worse,
• Weight loss,
• Lack of appetite,
• Fever: a temperature of 38°C  or above,
• Fatigue, and
• A general sense of feeling unwell.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis:
In some cases of TB, the infection can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body. Cases of TB infections that occur outside of the lungs are known as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis is more common in people with weakened immune systems, particularly people living with a pre-existing HIV infection. 

Spread of TB Infection: 

• Lymph nodes (Glands) that are near the lungs (Lymph Node TB)
• Bones and joints (Skeletal TB)
• The digestive system (Gastrointestinal TB)
• The bladder and reproductive system (Genitourinary TB)
• The nervous system (Central Nervous System TB).

These different types of extrapulmonary tuberculosis can cause additional symptoms.
Symptoms of lymph node TB:

• Persistent, painless swelling of the lymph nodes. Usually the nodes in neck are affected but swelling can also occur in the nodes throughout your body, and
• Over time, the swollen nodes can begin to release a discharge of fluid.

Symptoms of skeletal TB:

• Bone pain,
• Curving of the affected bone or joint,
• Loss of movement or feeling in the affected bone or joint, and
• Weakened bone that may fracture easily. 

Symptoms of gastrointestinal TB: 

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Rectal bleeding

Symptoms of genitourinary TB: 

• A burning sensation when you urinate
• Blood in the urine
• A frequent urge to pass urine during the night, and
• Groin pain. 

Symptoms of central nervous system TB: 

• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Changes in mental states, such as confusion
• Blurred vision
• Seizures