For example, someone with a cough may ignore it because they think its related to asthma or allergies.
Tuberculosis most commonly affects the lungs, a condition called pulmonary tuberculosis.
When it affects parts of the body besides the lungs, its called extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
This is more common in people with weakened immune systems that cant contain the infection to one area.
(4)
What Is Pulmonary Tuberculosis?
Pulmonary tuberculosis starts with a cough that wont go away and worsens over time.
At first, the cough may produce yellow or green sputum (phlegm) first thing in the morning.
Eventually, the sputum may be streaked with blood, although large amounts of blood are unusual.
(2,3,5)
What Are the Symptoms of Asthma and How Is It Diagnosed?
The TB bacteria damage the lungs, making them unable to bring enough oxygen to the blood.
When the body doesnt get enough oxygen, it cant function properly.
As the infection progresses, people feel tired and generally unwell.
They may lose weight due to loss of appetite.
It may or may not cause a fever.
Two other common symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis are chest pain and shortness of breath.
Or they can be a sign of a pneumothorax (the presence of air between the pleura).
Pulmonary tuberculosis can have long-term complications as well.
As the bacteria harm the lungs, you are at risk for other conditions even after successful TB treatment.
(6)
Long-term complications from pulmonary TB can include these conditions:
What Is Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis?
Rates of extrapulmonary tuberculosis also increased.
BecauseHIV and AIDSweaken the immune system, TB can spread more aggressively.
TB infections outside the lungs are less common in the United States today but can be very serious.
(9)
The symptoms depend on where the active disease has spread.
What Is Potts Disease and Who Is At Risk?
About 2 percent of all TB cases and 15 percent of extrapulmonary TB cases are spinal.
(9,10)
People with spinal TB will experience general TB symptoms with additional symptoms related to Potts disease.
Like pulmonary TB, it spreads slowly, which means it can take weeks or years to diagnose properly.
Although its rare in the United States, tuberculous meningitis is a serious condition thats life-threatening if not treated.
People with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop meningitis.
The disease can also appear as part of an extrapulmonary TB infection or on its own.
(11,12)
Tuberculous meningitis starts slowly.
In rare cases, a painful rash may also develop.
Additional reporting by Ingrid Strauch.
Active TB Disease: Whats the Difference?
Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
What Is a Klebsiella Pneumoniae Infection?
Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
What Is Tuberculosis?
