Tuberculosis is a serious communicable disease. It can affect different parts of the body. Pulmonary TB, or TB in the lung, can be spread from person to person through droplets in the air. If you have been exposed to someone with tuberculosis, are immunocompromised or have a greater risk for TB, and you have symptoms, it is important that you get tested so that you can be treated, and appropriate measures can be taken so that you don't expose others. The symptoms below are symptoms of pulmonary TB. According to the Mayo Clinic, most of the time TB affects the lungs.
Cough
You might have a cough that lasts for more than a few weeks. Some persons develop bloody sputum with their cough; others report chest pain or difficulty breathing when coughing. You also might experience wheezing along with a cough.
Fever and Night Sweats
With any infection, fever is a common symptom. A fever is considered a temperature over 98.6 degrees F. Some persons report waking up in the middle of the night with sweats for no apparent reason.
Weight Loss and Weakness
Your appetite might not be the same; maybe you are losing weight. You might be losing weight and not have any idea why, or perhaps you are not trying to lose weight at all. Persons with TB might also feel weak, fatigued or lethargic.
Other Symptoms
Depending on the site of tuberculosis, symptoms can be different. According to the Mayo Clinic, TB can affect organs such as the kidney, brain or other parts of the body. Every site infected might cause different symptoms.
