What are the signs and symptoms of TB disease?
Symptoms of TB disease depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are multiplying. TB bacteria usually multiply in the lungs. TB in the lungs can cause: • A bad cough that lasts longer than 2 weeks • Chest pain • Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs) • Other symptoms are: weakness or tiredness, weight loss, chills, fever, and night sweats How soon after exposure do tuberculosis symptoms appear? Most persons infected with TB bacteria never develop TB disease. If TB disease does develop, it can occur 2 to 3 months after infection or years later. The chances of TB infection developing into TB disease lessen as time passes. How is tuberculosis diagnosed? TB infection is diagnosed by a skin test. A small needle is used to put some fluid, called tuberculin, under the skin on the inside of the arm. After 2 to 3 days, the amount of skin swelling around the test area is measured. A positive reaction usually means that the person has TB infection. TB disease is diagnos
