If you have latentTB, you will not have any symptoms because your body is effectively working to keep the bacteria you are infected within check.When your immune system isn’t strong enough to do so, latent TB becomes active TB, the most common symptom of which is a persistent cough that may produce blood-tinged phlegm. TB that spreads beyond the lungs can involve symptoms related to the kidneys, bones, brain, and other areas of the body.VerywellFrequent SymptomsThe vast majority of TB cases occur and remain in the lungs. This is called pulmonary TB. Symptoms of active, pulmonary TB include:A cough that lasts for more than three weeksA cough that produces green or yellow sputum (phlegm) that may also be streaked with bloodShortness of breath or chest painFatigueLoss of appetite and weight lossNight sweatsFeverRare SymptomsOccasionally, active TB will spread beyond the lungs into the lymph nodes, kidneys, bones, brain, abdominal cavity, membrane around the heart (pericardium), joints (especially weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees), and reproductive organs. When this happens, it is known as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.Symptoms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis depend on the area involved and can include:Lymph nodes: Lymph nodes that drain the lungs may become large enough to compress the bronchial tubes, causing a cough and possibly a collapsed lung.If bacteria spread to lymph nodes in the neck, it is possible for the nodes to break through the skin and discharge pus.Kidneys: TB infection of the kidneys may cause fever, back pain, and sometimes blood in the urine.Infection commonly spreads to the bladder, causing painful and frequent urination.Brain:Tuberculosis that infects the brain, called tuberculous meningitis, is life-threatening. In the United States and other developed countries,tuberculous meningitismost commonly occurs among older people or people with a weakened immune system. Symptoms include fever, constant headache, neck stiffness, nausea, and drowsiness that can lead to coma.Pericardium: In tuberculous pericarditis, thepericardiumthickens and sometimes leaks fluid into the space between the pericardium and the heart. This can weaken the heart, causing swollen neck veins and difficulty breathing.Genitals:Tuberculosis can also spread to the genitals. In men, genital tuberculosis causes the scrotum to enlarge. In women, it causes pelvic pain and menstrual irregularities and increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy (in which the egg implants itself outside of the uterus).Sub-Group IndicationsCertain populations need to be especially aware of any symptoms that may indicate TB, as they are at most risk for complications from the illness. These include:People with HIV:Since the AIDS outbreak in the 1980s, the number of cases of tuberculosis has increased dramatically. HIV infection suppresses the immune system, making it difficult for the body to control TB bacteria. Worldwide, TB is one of the leading causes of death among those with HIV.Pregnant women: Babies born to women with untreated TB may have lower birth weight than is optimal, and may be born with TB themselves. Pregnant women should receivetreatmentif the likelihood of them having TB is moderate to high.In addition, anyone with a compromised immune system is at higher risk for active TB infection and related complications.When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you have been exposed to someone with TB, have chest pain or a persistent cough with or without phlegm, call your healthcare provider for evaluation. TB is a serious illness and can be fatal if not treated.Tuberculosis Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.Frequently Asked QuestionsTB has three stages: exposure, latent, and active. During exposure, tests won’t yet be positive for TB, but the person will have been exposed to the disease. In the latent phase, the person would have a positive skin or blood test but a clean X-ray, whereas, in the active phase, an X-ray would show TB infection.Whether a TB skin test is positive or negative depends on the size of a raised, red bump that may appear after a small amount of tuberculin is injected under the skin on the arm. A healthcare professional will measure and assess the bump, if present, and consider other data, such as time of exposure, to determine the result.What Is Tuberculosis?
If you have latentTB, you will not have any symptoms because your body is effectively working to keep the bacteria you are infected within check.When your immune system isn’t strong enough to do so, latent TB becomes active TB, the most common symptom of which is a persistent cough that may produce blood-tinged phlegm. TB that spreads beyond the lungs can involve symptoms related to the kidneys, bones, brain, and other areas of the body.
Verywell
Frequent SymptomsThe vast majority of TB cases occur and remain in the lungs. This is called pulmonary TB. Symptoms of active, pulmonary TB include:A cough that lasts for more than three weeksA cough that produces green or yellow sputum (phlegm) that may also be streaked with bloodShortness of breath or chest painFatigueLoss of appetite and weight lossNight sweatsFever
Frequent Symptoms
The vast majority of TB cases occur and remain in the lungs. This is called pulmonary TB. Symptoms of active, pulmonary TB include:A cough that lasts for more than three weeksA cough that produces green or yellow sputum (phlegm) that may also be streaked with bloodShortness of breath or chest painFatigueLoss of appetite and weight lossNight sweatsFever
The vast majority of TB cases occur and remain in the lungs. This is called pulmonary TB. Symptoms of active, pulmonary TB include:
Rare Symptoms
Occasionally, active TB will spread beyond the lungs into the lymph nodes, kidneys, bones, brain, abdominal cavity, membrane around the heart (pericardium), joints (especially weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees), and reproductive organs. When this happens, it is known as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Symptoms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis depend on the area involved and can include:
Lymph nodes: Lymph nodes that drain the lungs may become large enough to compress the bronchial tubes, causing a cough and possibly a collapsed lung.If bacteria spread to lymph nodes in the neck, it is possible for the nodes to break through the skin and discharge pus.
Kidneys: TB infection of the kidneys may cause fever, back pain, and sometimes blood in the urine.Infection commonly spreads to the bladder, causing painful and frequent urination.
Brain:Tuberculosis that infects the brain, called tuberculous meningitis, is life-threatening. In the United States and other developed countries,tuberculous meningitismost commonly occurs among older people or people with a weakened immune system. Symptoms include fever, constant headache, neck stiffness, nausea, and drowsiness that can lead to coma.
Pericardium: In tuberculous pericarditis, thepericardiumthickens and sometimes leaks fluid into the space between the pericardium and the heart. This can weaken the heart, causing swollen neck veins and difficulty breathing.
Genitals:Tuberculosis can also spread to the genitals. In men, genital tuberculosis causes the scrotum to enlarge. In women, it causes pelvic pain and menstrual irregularities and increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy (in which the egg implants itself outside of the uterus).
Sub-Group Indications
Certain populations need to be especially aware of any symptoms that may indicate TB, as they are at most risk for complications from the illness. These include:
In addition, anyone with a compromised immune system is at higher risk for active TB infection and related complications.
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you have been exposed to someone with TB, have chest pain or a persistent cough with or without phlegm, call your healthcare provider for evaluation. TB is a serious illness and can be fatal if not treated.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have been exposed to someone with TB, have chest pain or a persistent cough with or without phlegm, call your healthcare provider for evaluation. TB is a serious illness and can be fatal if not treated.
Tuberculosis Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Download PDF
Email AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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There was an error. Please try again.
Frequently Asked QuestionsTB has three stages: exposure, latent, and active. During exposure, tests won’t yet be positive for TB, but the person will have been exposed to the disease. In the latent phase, the person would have a positive skin or blood test but a clean X-ray, whereas, in the active phase, an X-ray would show TB infection.Whether a TB skin test is positive or negative depends on the size of a raised, red bump that may appear after a small amount of tuberculin is injected under the skin on the arm. A healthcare professional will measure and assess the bump, if present, and consider other data, such as time of exposure, to determine the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
TB has three stages: exposure, latent, and active. During exposure, tests won’t yet be positive for TB, but the person will have been exposed to the disease. In the latent phase, the person would have a positive skin or blood test but a clean X-ray, whereas, in the active phase, an X-ray would show TB infection.
Whether a TB skin test is positive or negative depends on the size of a raised, red bump that may appear after a small amount of tuberculin is injected under the skin on the arm. A healthcare professional will measure and assess the bump, if present, and consider other data, such as time of exposure, to determine the result.
What Is Tuberculosis?
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kiazyk S, Ball TB.Latent tuberculosis infection: an overview.Can Commun Dis Rep. 2017;43(3-4):62-66.Natali D, Cloatre G, Brosset C, et al.What pulmonologists need to know about extrapulmonary tuberculosis.Breathe. 2020;16(4). doi:10.1183/20734735.0216-2020Daher Ede F, Da Silva GB, Barros EJ.Renal tuberculosis in the modern era.Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013;88(1):54-64. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2013.12-0413Chin JH.Tuberculous meningitis: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.Neurol Clin Pract. 2014;4(3):199-205. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000023Wiysonge CS, Ntsekhe M, Thabane L, et al.Interventions for treating tuberculous pericarditis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;9:CD000526. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000526.pub2Grace GA, Devaleenal DB, Natrajan M.Genital tuberculosis in females.Indian J Med Res. 2017;145(4):425-436. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1550_15World Health Organization.TB and HIV.Sester M, Van leth F, Bruchfeld J, et al.Risk assessment of tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients. A TBNET study.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2014;190(10):1168-1176. doi:10.1164/rccm.201405-0967OCCedars-Sinai.Tuberculosis (TB).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for tuberculosis (TB).Additional ReadingMayo Clinic.Tuberculosis.Merck Manual. Consumer version.Tuberculosis (TB).U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.HIV and opportunistic infections, coinfections, and conditions.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kiazyk S, Ball TB.Latent tuberculosis infection: an overview.Can Commun Dis Rep. 2017;43(3-4):62-66.Natali D, Cloatre G, Brosset C, et al.What pulmonologists need to know about extrapulmonary tuberculosis.Breathe. 2020;16(4). doi:10.1183/20734735.0216-2020Daher Ede F, Da Silva GB, Barros EJ.Renal tuberculosis in the modern era.Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013;88(1):54-64. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2013.12-0413Chin JH.Tuberculous meningitis: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.Neurol Clin Pract. 2014;4(3):199-205. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000023Wiysonge CS, Ntsekhe M, Thabane L, et al.Interventions for treating tuberculous pericarditis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;9:CD000526. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000526.pub2Grace GA, Devaleenal DB, Natrajan M.Genital tuberculosis in females.Indian J Med Res. 2017;145(4):425-436. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1550_15World Health Organization.TB and HIV.Sester M, Van leth F, Bruchfeld J, et al.Risk assessment of tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients. A TBNET study.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2014;190(10):1168-1176. doi:10.1164/rccm.201405-0967OCCedars-Sinai.Tuberculosis (TB).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for tuberculosis (TB).Additional ReadingMayo Clinic.Tuberculosis.Merck Manual. Consumer version.Tuberculosis (TB).U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.HIV and opportunistic infections, coinfections, and conditions.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kiazyk S, Ball TB.Latent tuberculosis infection: an overview.Can Commun Dis Rep. 2017;43(3-4):62-66.Natali D, Cloatre G, Brosset C, et al.What pulmonologists need to know about extrapulmonary tuberculosis.Breathe. 2020;16(4). doi:10.1183/20734735.0216-2020Daher Ede F, Da Silva GB, Barros EJ.Renal tuberculosis in the modern era.Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013;88(1):54-64. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2013.12-0413Chin JH.Tuberculous meningitis: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.Neurol Clin Pract. 2014;4(3):199-205. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000023Wiysonge CS, Ntsekhe M, Thabane L, et al.Interventions for treating tuberculous pericarditis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;9:CD000526. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000526.pub2Grace GA, Devaleenal DB, Natrajan M.Genital tuberculosis in females.Indian J Med Res. 2017;145(4):425-436. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1550_15World Health Organization.TB and HIV.Sester M, Van leth F, Bruchfeld J, et al.Risk assessment of tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients. A TBNET study.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2014;190(10):1168-1176. doi:10.1164/rccm.201405-0967OCCedars-Sinai.Tuberculosis (TB).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for tuberculosis (TB).
Kiazyk S, Ball TB.Latent tuberculosis infection: an overview.Can Commun Dis Rep. 2017;43(3-4):62-66.
Natali D, Cloatre G, Brosset C, et al.What pulmonologists need to know about extrapulmonary tuberculosis.Breathe. 2020;16(4). doi:10.1183/20734735.0216-2020
Daher Ede F, Da Silva GB, Barros EJ.Renal tuberculosis in the modern era.Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013;88(1):54-64. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2013.12-0413
Chin JH.Tuberculous meningitis: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.Neurol Clin Pract. 2014;4(3):199-205. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000023
Wiysonge CS, Ntsekhe M, Thabane L, et al.Interventions for treating tuberculous pericarditis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;9:CD000526. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000526.pub2
Grace GA, Devaleenal DB, Natrajan M.Genital tuberculosis in females.Indian J Med Res. 2017;145(4):425-436. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1550_15
World Health Organization.TB and HIV.
Sester M, Van leth F, Bruchfeld J, et al.Risk assessment of tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients. A TBNET study.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2014;190(10):1168-1176. doi:10.1164/rccm.201405-0967OC
Cedars-Sinai.Tuberculosis (TB).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Testing for tuberculosis (TB).
Mayo Clinic.Tuberculosis.Merck Manual. Consumer version.Tuberculosis (TB).U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.HIV and opportunistic infections, coinfections, and conditions.
Mayo Clinic.Tuberculosis.
Merck Manual. Consumer version.Tuberculosis (TB).
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.HIV and opportunistic infections, coinfections, and conditions.
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