What are the symptoms of “active” TB disease?
If you have latent TB infection then you will not feel ill, have symptoms and won’t be infectious. But if you develop active TB disease then you may feel weak and tired. You might start to lose weight. If you have active TB disease you may also lose your appetite. You might develop a fever, and possibly night sweats. When TB is in your lungs (pulmonary TB) you may get any combination of the symptoms mentioned above, but also accompanied by a cough. You may have chest pain and might be coughing up some blood or blood-stained phlegm (sputum). You may also feel short of breath. Symptoms vary, depending on what part of the body is affected. Left untreated, these symptoms could get worse and put you, and potentially your family, especially young children, in danger. The symptoms of TB can manifest in a variety of ways, but few people will have all of the symptoms mentioned here. It is important if you develop these symptoms that you see a doctor, particularly if you have had TB before, or a
