Tuberculosis
Overview
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most commonly affect the lungs. If you have TB, the infection may develop gradually and cause ongoing respiratory and general health symptoms over time.
TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. While it mainly affects the lungs, it can also affect other parts of the body in some cases.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment are important because TB can worsen over time and may spread to others if left untreated. With appropriate care and follow-up, TB can be treated successfully.
Symptoms
TB symptoms may develop slowly and can vary between individuals. You may experience:
- Persistent cough lasting several weeks
- Coughing up mucus or blood
- Fever or night sweats
- Weight loss or reduced appetite
- Fatigue or weakness
- Chest pain or breathing difficulty
Symptoms may gradually worsen without treatment.
Causes & Risk Factors
TB is caused by bacteria that spread through the air. You may be at higher risk if you:
- Have close contact with someone with TB
- Have weakened immunity
- Live or work in crowded environments
- Have chronic health conditions affecting immunity
- Smoke or have chronic lung disease
These factors can increase the risk of infection or progression of disease.
When to Seek Care
You should seek medical advice if you:
- Have a persistent cough lasting several weeks
- Experience unexplained weight loss or night sweats
- Develop fever with ongoing respiratory symptoms
- Notice coughing up blood or worsening chest symptoms
Emergency Symptoms
Seek immediate medical care if you experience:
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Significant coughing up of blood
- Chest pain with worsening respiratory symptoms
- Severe weakness or confusion
- Rapid worsening of symptoms
Prevention
You can help reduce the risk of TB by:
- Seeking early medical assessment for persistent cough
- Following treatment plans completely if diagnosed
- Avoiding close exposure to untreated infection
- Maintaining good respiratory health
- Attending follow-up reviews and screening where advised
Diagnostics Used
To diagnose TB, your care team may use:
Support Services
Managing TB focuses on treatment, monitoring, and preventing complications. You may benefit from:
- Medication management and monitoring
- Respiratory follow-up care
- Nutritional and recovery support
- Referral for advanced care where needed
This approach helps support recovery and long-term respiratory health.