TB Signs and Symptoms
TB usually occurs in the lungs, but it can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine.
Symptoms of TB of the lungs include:
- A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
- Pain in the chest
- Coughing up blood or sputum
General symptoms of active TB include:
- Weaknes or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Chills
- Fever
- Night sweats
Other symptoms depend on the part of the body that is affected.
You should get tested for TB if:
- You have spent time with a person known or suspected to have TB disease
- You have HIV or another condition that puts you at high risk for developing TB
- You are from a country where TB is common (most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia)
- You live in a place where TB is more common, such as a homeless shelter, migrant farm camp, prison or jail, and some nursing homes
- You inject illegal drugs
- You think you might have TB
If you think you may have been exposed to a person with TB disease, contact your health care provider or your local TB control office.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
