Tuberculosis Symptoms: Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection that usually attacks the lungs. It also spreads to other parts of the body, like brain and spine. A type of bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes it. People with HIV/AIDS and others with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of getting tuberculosis because their bodies have a harder time fighting the bacteria.
Symptoms of TB include cough (sometimes blood-tinged), weight loss, night sweats, fever, chest pain, and fatigue. Based on the organ infected, a lot of patients infected with TB tend to not show any symptoms. Let's know the symptoms of Tuberculosis in adults, kids and teenagers.
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Signs & Symptoms Of Tuberculosis In Adults
When tuberculosis germs survive and multiply in the lungs, it is called a TB infection. A TB infection occur in one of three stages. The symptoms in each stages are different.
Primary TB infection
The first stage of this infection is called the primary infection. Immune system cells find and capture the germs. The immune system completely destroy the germs. But some captured germs still survive and multiply. Most people don't have any symptoms during primary infection, while few get flu-like symptoms, like low fever, tiredness and cough.
Latent TB infection.
Primary infection is followed by the stage called latent TB infection, in which the immune system cells build a wall around the lung tissues with TB germs. The germs prove to be harmless if the immune system keeps them under control but the germs tend to survive. There are no symptoms during latent TB infection.
Active TB disease.
Active TB disease occurs when the immune system is not able to control an infection. The TB germs cause disease throughout the lungs or other parts of the body. Active TB disease happens right after the primary infection. But it usually happens after months or years of latent TB infection.
Symptoms of active TB disease in the lungs begin gradually and worsen over a few weeks. They include walls of blood vessels, voice box, also called larynx.
Tuberculosis Symptoms In Kids
Symptoms of active TB disease in children may vary. Symptoms by age include :
Teenagers - Symptoms are similar to those of adult symptoms.
1- to 12-year-olds - Younger children have a fever that won't go away and weight loss.
Infants - The baby does not grow and gains weight as expected. Additionally, babies have symptoms from swelling in the fluid around the brain or spinal cord, which include being sluggish or not active, unusually fussy, vomiting, poor feeding, bulging soft spot on the head and poor reflexes.
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