Tuberculosis - What Are The Symptoms?

The symptoms of tuberculosis (TB), which is active, might vary and depend on which part of the body is infected. Diagnosing TB just from its symptoms can be a difficult, as the symptoms are not for TB alone meaning the symptoms can be of other diseases as well. For the confirmation and diagnosis of TB one must get a test done for TB. However, the general symptoms of TB are tiredness, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, chills and night sweats.

Symptoms of Pulmonary TB

Pulmonary TB is the TB of lungs. The symptoms of this are bad cough which might have lasted for more than 3 weeks, chest pain, blood or phlegm might occur on coughing.

Extrapulmonary TB

The TB of any body part other than pulmonary is called extrapulmonary TB. This TB does not affect the lungs with the exception being the extrapulmonary TB also known as Pleural TB.

General symtoms of extrapulmonary TB are same as general symtoms of TB.

Symptoms of Lymph Node TB

Lymph Node TB also known as lymphadenitis is basically the enlargement and the inflammation of the lymph nodes. This is a response to the infections especially in children. The symptoms of this might be painless slow growing lymph nodes. These swollen lymph nodes can be in the neck area, though they might also be present in the groin. Lymph node TB of the neck is also called as Scrofula or TB adenitis.

Symptoms of skeletal (bone and joint) TB

The common and the first symptoms are pain and depend on the area of the joint or the bone affected. Often it is marked with the loss of movement and curving of the affected bones and joints. The affected area also weakens and is prone to fractures.

Spinal TB is also called as Pott Disease or TB Spondylitis. The symptoms of this depend on the affected site and the stage of the disease. However, back pain is one of the earliest symptoms.

Symptoms of Meningitis TB

The meningitis TB starts with classical symptoms of meningitis. It usually starts with symptoms of pains and aches, fever and vague and unwell feeling. These might last for 2-8 weeks and then the evident symptoms like headaches, seizures, vomiting and stiffness might occur.

Symptoms of Gastrointestinal or Abdominal TB

This is marked with diarrhea, abdominal pain and bleeding from rectum and anus, though the symptoms depend on the exact site.

Symptoms of TB in children

The symptoms depend on the type and site, though the common ones being weight loss, fever and cough.