Learn the Signs and Symptoms of TB Disease

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that are spread through the air from person to person. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected. The TB bacteria usually attack the lungs, but can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
TB is NOT spread by

Shaking someone's hand
Sharing food or drink
Touching bed linens or toilet seats
Sharing toothbrushes
Kissing

Latent TB Infection and TB Disease

Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick with TB disease. People who become infected, but are not sick have what is called latent TB infection. People who have latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB bacteria to others. But some people with latent TB infection go on to get TB disease. People who have TB disease do feel sick, have signs and symptoms, and may spread TB bacteria to others.

Symptoms of TB Disease

Symptoms of TB disease depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB disease symptoms may include:

A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
Pain in the chest
Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs)
Weakness or fatigue
Weight loss
No appetite
Chills
Fever
Sweating at night

If you think you may have been exposed to someone with TB disease, contact your health care provider or your local or state TB control office.

TB Risk Factors

Not all people need a TB test. You should get a TB test if you are at increased risk. Generally people at high risk for developing TB disease fall into two categories:

People who have been recently infected with TB bacteria
People with medical conditions that weaken the immune system

Conditions or activities that place you at increased risk:

You have spent time with a person known to have TB disease or suspected to have TB disease
You have HIV infection or another condition that puts you at high risk for TB disease
You have signs and symptoms of TB disease
You are from a country where TB disease is very common
You live or work where TB disease is more common, such as a homeless shelter, migrant farm camp, prison or jail, and some nursing homes
You use illegal drugs

Photo: Man looking over x-rays with doctor

While anyone can get TB disease, some people who are infected with TB bacteria are more likely to get sick.
You have a higher chance of getting TB disease if you

Have HIV infection
Have been infected with TB bacteria in the last two years
Have other health problems that make it hard for your body to fight disease
Abuse alcohol or use illegal drugs
Were not treated correctly for TB infection or TB disease in the past

There are two kinds of tests that are used to determine if a person has been infected with TB bacteria: the tuberculin skin test and TB blood tests.
A positive TB skin test or TB blood test only tells that a person has been infected with TB bacteria. It does not tell whether the person has latent TB infection or has progressed to TB disease. Other tests, such as a chest x-ray and a sample of sputum, are needed to see whether the person has TB disease.